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.
Very pleased with the outcome and I think the all in cost of $2,570 is pretty reasonable.
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?
Definitely. Thank you, I really appreciate that.
No, anterior/posterior lumbar fusion, 2 discs removed, spacers added. 35 yo chronic issue, finally fixed. I'm an inch taller. Expect to be back on my mountain bike in 3-4 months but it's humbling.
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@curiousjim I was looking at the ARES. My really positive interaction with Vinshine is what gave me the confidence to buy the LYH PSU. |
Re streamer without a DAC: I compared many from a few hundred $ to many thousand $. The best in my opinion is the tiny Pro-Ject stream box S2 ultra. It’s good value and sounds as good as some very expensive options I also tried. Also if you are getting into streaming have a trial of Roon - it is an amazing piece of software that transforms the streaming experience, not in sound quality (unless you use the dsp features for tweaking your sound) but simply in every other part of being a music fan. |
