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Help me with the upgrade path

Over the last 12 months, I spent some significant (at least for me) dough on new speakers (Bowers and Wilkins CM10), amplifier (Parasound A21), and Digital Preamp + DAC (Cambridge Audio Azure 851D). I find myself listening mostly to digital content (CDs converted to digital via iTunes or Tidal --> Apple TV --> Azure DAC). I had been planning to upgrade the other components in the chain but wanted to let the $$$ shock sink in before splurging further.

So this year I’m allowing myself just one more upgrade for at least another year. Given the fact that I am using Apple TV, which is not considered the best choice for music, and non-expensive Audioquest speaker wires (I think I paid around $75 for an 8-foot pair), I wonder where I should put my money.

1. Replace Apple TV? I like the Bluesound Node 2 which sells for about $499

2. Better speaker wires? Leaning toward Clear Day Shotguns

3. Better power cords for the amplifier and DAC? No idea which ones would be a good fit for the A21

I understand that there are too many varying factors in determining the best upgrade, and too many system dependent variables, etc. -- but still some feedback would be great.
128x128arafiq
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

First thing, since you’re using iTunes to rip your CDs, I would highly recommend that you make sure you are using the "Apple Losseless Codec" when importing direct from CD. Otherwise, you’re losing a lot of resolution that you would never get back with upgraded equipment.

The others have good ideas for improvement: room treatment, interconnects, power cords, fuses. All those definitely will help.

In my opinion, your weak link is the AppleTV, as you have indicated. The Bluesound may be an improvement because you can use it’s toslink digital output to drive the Azure DAC.

Another way to go is to look at something like an Oppo BDP-103 (or the newer 203 when it comes out). It will likely be a much better transport for reading in the streaming audio data and converting that to straight PCM (including clock timing) and being able to use the coax digital output (which is generally better than toslink). The Oppo supports integration with Tidal. It will also play ALAC files if you want to keep using that. Then maybe look into JRiver software on your Mac as a DLNA server for the Oppo. Cost of the Oppo is about $499 or so (or less if used). You can also play straight from a CD or even USB stick/drive.

gdnrbob
4,460 posts
 
I agree, AppleTV is probably your weakest link.
But, I must ask, are you noticing anything lacking in your sound reproduction that is making you consider an upgrade?
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@arafiq  What stand/table or whatever are your components placed on?  It is often amazing how reducing vibrations/resonances to and within your components yields a significant sonic benefit.  This can be done very effectively in a cost effective manner.

arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,699 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys. Really appreciate it.

I'm also seriously considering Acoustic Zen Santori. Quite a number of members at audiogon (whose opinion I value very highly) have also recommended AZ Santori. 

As for Apple TV, I was almost ready to pull the plug on a Bluesound Node, but then I read another thread on agon where the users were really not able to tell much of a difference. So, now I'm even more confused :)


arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,699 posts
 
@auxinput - thanks for the Oppo suggestion. I never thought of that before. I need to do some further research to see how it stacks up against Bluesound. If the sound quality is the same, then it's tempting to score a great blue ray player at the same time.
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