Weak Link in chain as I upgrade from mid-fi?


This is a long post but want to be thorough in giving my setup and thoughts on it. Any feedback or thoughts welcome:

I finally caved and started to invest in a stereo setup after years dedicated to head-fi. Currently it's a 'starter' 2 way system focused entirely on digital and I'm pretty happy with it but want to sort of map out a good upgrade path, and am curious what if any 'obvious' weaker links I have in my chain...if theres something I could make a singular upgrade for and notice improvements without having to change a whole lot at once

Currently:

SF Sonetto i
Arcam SA-20 for amp + dac
Bluesound Node 2i for streaming/Roon
Marantz CD-5005 for transport

I love the SF...maybe Id endgame at Olympica Nova or Electa amator standmounts or Sonetto V floors. I generally subscribe to the thought of affording the most full range in a 2.0 possible before getting standalone subs but if theres a sub that would blend well with my current Sonetto i's musically id be interested to know about it.


The Arcam is a purchase Im also very happy with for now. I do want a bit more convenience of the sort the Sa30 would provide, Roon endpoint, wireless etc, but when I do upgrade amp might opt for standalone dac/streamer and better analog int amp.

The CD5005 I like enough but curious how much more Id need to spend to get noticeable improvement, especially given the other gear I have. I only use it as transport currently. I can't even tell what Im missing...beyond knowing just how much better a system could be overall from my local hifishop listening.

If it matters, I want to stick with integrated as I upgrade, and maybe endgame with a Luxman 505 or something all analog, which would mean a proper dac as well (maybe replace blue sound as well to get a nice dac/streamer?)

I will not anytime in the foreseeable future have a 'listening room'...it will for a long time be combined living room/tv/stereo setup.

Open to any feedback or thoughts! 

 

128x128zander024

I would like to spin what @drbond said.

You have lots of opportunities to improve the sound incrementally and then a big bump when you get to the end of the next upgrade cycle.

‘’It looks like all your components are very roughly of the same caliber… great.

 

So, it appears you like Sonus Faber sound… I do to (see my systems). I am on my third set, upgrading from old used to new higher level. Each provided a great bump up in performance. I would start there.

So, the question would be how big a jump? I upgrade to a new level about every seven years and take about a year or two to make the transition.

You want to put in no less than 2x the cost in each component… less is likely to be disappointing.

For the first upgrade, I would recommend speakers…. Wait ~ six months… then DAC. Then wait ~ six months upgrade integrated (preamp and amp only… no other stuff). Then streamer.

Unless, you have some compelling reason to add analog I would not… this just dilutes your investment in the core stuff.

Even if you cannot have a dedicated audio room… keep the 2-channel audio separate from the home theater (get a sound bar for the TV). Otherwise your 2-channel is going to be tremendously compromised… or you’ll need to spend 3x on the whole thing or more and still have a compromised 2-channel system..

Get the best speakers you can. Olympica are fantastic… I had a pair for nearly 10 years.

Think roughly about 35% on speakers, 35% on integrated, 15% DAC, and 15% on streamer. Worry about cables and cords after you have landed on your ideal components.

Recommended brands:

Speakers: Sonus Faber

Integrated: used, Audio Research or Pass

Streamer: Aurender used N100… new N150

DAC: Schiit - Yggdrasil

If you are able to pull off the above upgrades over whatever time frame… you are going to have an system performing at levels above what you have now. Each step should provide great satisfaction. Get to know each new piece as you get them and save for the next.

 

Then you can get into interconnects, cables and subwoofers.

 

 

Focus on the room first. What can you do to improve your room acoustics.

As you go up the food chain in audio you will find the room play a bigger role than it does with low/mid-fi gear. Just something to think about.

@zander024 I applaud you on recognizing the journey.  Enjoy it.

I concur on starting with improving your speakers and make it a significant upgrade.  I like Sonus faber and have owned the Sonetto Vs and really enjoyed them.  I also upgraded to the Olympica Nova Vs and it was a significant improvement.

Why do I say upgrade the speakers first?  You have a complete system - if you start with your speakers you'll get an upgrade now and you'll be able to appreciate upgrade of your source (DAC/Streamer) next and then amplification.

Good luck on your journey!

 

Buy a good dedicated dac like the Denafrips terminator2  night and day better 

sound , even witha newer computer with SS drives, the source is where your system makes or breaks the audio signal your system has very low quality digital 

this upgrade you can guarantee 150% !!

+1 on both @drbond ​​​​@ghdprentice 

Your system looks balanced. You probably need to change almost everything to get a huge improvement. Doing this a step at a time is easier and spreads the cost but you may have to aim for components 2x the price of your current ones. My biggest improvement was changing the amp so you could let the Arcam go. Or change the DAC first and then the amp and speakers after that. Or some other order.