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Replacement/upgrade for Bluesound and Chord Mojo 2 streamer/external DAC combo

Greetings, I am looking for an alternative to my streamer/DAC combination.  Currently using Bluesound NODE N130 only as a source (Spotify/Tidal/local music library) feeding my Chord Mojo 2. Mojo 2 is designed to be a headphone DAC/Amp, but it has better use as an external DAC feeding my integrated amplifier for home audio use, better sound than running it direcly via the Bluesound.  The USB port in the Bluesound connects my music library stored in an SSD, so USB connection to Mojo 2 (supposedly give better signal) is no longer an option.   

Looking on how to improve my setup:
- Upgrade kit and linear PSU for the bluesound.  Many reviews commented on the quality upgrade in Bluesound from the kit, but wonder if anyone has any experience with the upgrade kit (from PD creative or other brands) improvement on Bluesound when running through external DAC? Will it be a noticeable or marginal difference, since i am already using Mojo 2?

- Replace the Mojo 2 with other dedicated external DAC

- Replace the Bluesound and Mojo 2 all together and find a better streamer/DAC alternative? Cambridge CXNv2 came across to my mind, 

My current setting:
- Accuphase E-380 integrated amplifier and Nordost Blue Heaven power cord
- Dynaudio Evoke 10 and Nordost Red Dawn speaker cable
- Bluesound NODE N130, a Taiwanese made RCA to mini coax cable and an aftermarket power cable (not clear what brand, but thick enough cable for the Bluesound)
- Chord Mojo 2 and Nordost Blue Heaven iKable 3.5mm to RCA cable

Not looking to spend much $$$ for the streamer/DAC alternative and not planning to replace my other components, as i am content enough with the rest.  Any comment/feedback is appreciated.
 

nothelle
hdm
1,080 posts
 

Plain_fan:

 

Have you upgraded the power supply on the Qutest?

Post removed 
nothelle OP
12 posts
 

Update:

I have since made a few minor upgrades to my setup since last time.  Thought i share my experience here as i always had these questions on my mind whether how different setup and cabling would contribute to a system

1. Replaced Chord Mojo 2 with Denafrips Venus II

2. Nordost red dawn power cable into Accuphase

3. Nordost blue heaven power cable into Denafrips

4. Nordost blue heaven BNC/RCA and Cardas Clear USB from Bluesound Node (upgraded LPS) into Denafrips

5. Nordost heimdall RCA and red dawn XLR from Denafrips into Accuphase

6. Nordost red dawn 2 RCA from Node into Accuphase

7. Wireworld chroma twinax ethernet from router into Node

8. Wirewold stratus 7 feeding into LHY audio LPS

I’ve tried different mix and match of different cables and sources:

- red dawn XLR vs. red dawn RCA vs. heimdall RCA from Denafrips to Accuphase

- blue heaven BNC/RCA (RCA on Node end and BNC on denafrips) vs. cardas clear USB

- blue heaven PC vs. red dawn PC into Accuphase

- blue heaven PC vs. stratus 7 into denafrips (at one time a Gotham 85055)

- Node vs. Denafrips to Accuphase, using red dawn RCA

first impression:

- Denafrips brings wider soundstage, darker background, separation of instruments

- XLR cable amplifies the above, might be just the higher sonic gain that an XLR cable in general

The rest, surprisingly no noticable sonic difference between different combos:

- digital coaxial vs. usb

- different RCAs feeding into the Accuphase

- Here is another kicker: i switched between Node vs. Denafrips back and forth (red dawn on Node and heimdall on Denafrips).  What i thought initially was different, after some time, both seem to blend in.  There are numerous times where i thought i was listening to Denafrips, turned out input selector was on the Node and vice versa.  

All cables have some airtime, bought them second hand so cable burn-in is a non-factor.

Off course, it’s subjective to my ear, but for general listening/music the difference is really subtle.  Maybe if i sit down, listening to selective tracks then i can hear uplift here and there but i would need to dedicate my time and ears just to find those.  It could also be my cabling choice leaning towards a single brand, or just my mind playing tricks when i first heard this.  Glad i did not bought these brand new.

On the bright side, the back of my system are pretty much uniform in red color cables

 

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