Which component to upgrade 1st ?

lalitk, replacing the qutest is a great suggestion. I've looked into tube dacs but have not found one around town to audition. MHDT and Border Patrol recos are appreciated.

Keep the Qutest.  Qutest is best dac under $3k.  Avoid the integrated DAC.  If you want to upgrade your streamer, the Allo USBridge Signature with Shanti Power supply is very good will leave you $5600 for another component.

@milo0812

You have solicited some good recommendations so far. @ghdprentice makes a compelling case for upgrading your current preamplifier. No doubt speakers are a noted factor, but only as good as what signal quality they are fed.

Restricted to your listed options, I’d begin at the front of the signal chain. Replace the current Node streamer and Chord DAC with the Weiss 501. This is a big step upward and forward (IMO). My next change would then be acquiring the ARC REF 5 preamplifier.

With these two upgrades you have significantly improved your signal chain quality. Now you can address the speakers. You are fine with the ARC REF 75 amplifier (Last item I’d change)

Charles

@milo0812

Border Patrol DAC is sold with a 14-days return policy, no restocking fee. Unfortunately, MHDT DAC carries a 10% restocking fee. I would defer to @hilde45 sane (no BS) advise on MHDT Orchid DAC as his setup include both Node 2 and Orchid.

It’s all about synergy, sometimes it takes few auditions with multiple components to find that perfect blend within the context of your system. And please don’t go on changing everything at once, bringing in a DAC, live with it and then plan your next move. In this hobby, decisions made in haste can cost you a pretty penny :-)

@jasonbourne52 A change of speakers will always have a greater positive effect than any electronics. Check out Devore!

Garbage-in = Garbage-out. Everything matters, not just speakers,

if you care about how it sounds.