50+ years of audio and I've learned everything matters...
A Skeptics Digital Upgrade Journey
2 months ago I argued against the benefits of high quality digital cables. It’s just 1’s and 0’s right?
My Bluesound Node (N130) was a convenience - decent SQ for casual listening (SXM radio and Tidal). Focused listening sessions were vinyl only.
Back surgery forced me to take another look at digital - the records were too low to for me to get and my wife was doing enough without taking requests.
I started looking at DACs, and Denafrips was on my list. Thanks to @drmuso I ordered the LSY PSU with LPS ($280) from BEATECHNIK also run by Alvn Lee from Vinshine Audio.
I added a tube DAC from Black Ice and they arrived on the same day along with a Coax cable from Analysis Plus. Interconnects to amp were Nordost Purple Flare. Hard wired Blue Jeans ethernet.
- The PSU+LPS on its own made a huge, immediate difference. If you have a Node and it’s out of warranty or you don’t care about voiding the warranty, this is a big bang for the buck. Customer service was top notch.
- Adding the DAC improved the sound but I was underwhelmed even after over 100 hours on the tubes. I switched from the AP Coax to the supplied USB cable and things got better but highs were still a bit too bright/harsh.
- I ordered Zavfino interconnects (Arcadia OCC) and USB cable (Majestic OCC) - immediately things warmed up. Sent the AP Coax back.
- Lastly, I replaced the Svetlana tubes that came with the DAC with some NOS Mullards from Brent Jesse - let them warm up for 24 hours and WOW - now the digital source was warm and rich and sounding more like my much more expensive analogue rig. It's still early days on the tubes.
Very pleased with the outcome and I think the all in cost of $2,570 is pretty reasonable.
- Node $600
- PSU/LPS $280
- DAC $900 (on sale direct from Black Ice, list is $1,200)
- Cables: $340
- Tubes: $450
Lessons learned: everything matters including digital cables, apparently it is not just 1’s and 0’s. Serious listening library expanded exponentially.
Thoughts on my choices/path? Any one else done something similar?
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- 51 posts total
I have a feeling I will be upgrading my Node 2i very soon. Thanks for the post @macg19. |
Agree a quality streamer makes a huge difference. When I upgraded from my audio use only PC laptop to a Bricasti M5 (on my 2 channel system) it was an eye opener. Total believer now. Also, having it as a network player is another step up keeping your computer, NUC or Core anywhere on the network away from your system. Hardwired to the network better than wifi/bluetooth in my experience. As for Digital cables, my experience is that a quality USB or coax make a definite difference. Ethernet cables not much. A Blue Jeans/nice amazon quality cable sounded as good as several Audioquest/Pangea levels I tried and returned. I use Optical isolation so that may have an impact. |
- 51 posts total