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Where to invest the most in the "digital chain"?

Dear All,

I'd love to get everyone's opinions on where best to invest/invest the most, in the "digital chain".

Using my current "basic" system as an example I have very good Internet service into a very good router with the stock PSU on a dedicated power conditioner strip with an ifi AC iPurifier. From there I have Audioquest Pearl Cat6 to a Cisco 2960G with an upgraded Russ Andrews Power Cable. There follows another AQ Pearl Cat6 to an English Electronics 8Switch with an ifi iPowerX. From there I have the Chord C-Stream Ethernet to my ifi Zen Stream with a 15V ifi iPowerX. Then a Wireworld Chroma 8 cable to an ifi iPurifier3 into a Zen DAC v2 also with ifi iPowerX. The EE8, Stream and DAC benefit from a power-conditioner/surge protector and a pair of AC iPurifiers.

I've got a SotM iSO-CAT7 on order which I am intending to put between the EE 8Switch and the network transport with a dCBL-CAT7u into the network transport.

Phew, that was a lot of words!

My question is, and this applies to all systems as a generic question, where is it best to invest the most? Should the best Ethernet cables and/or switches and/or isolators be first in the chain (i.e. from the Internet source) or at the end of the chain (into the DAC/Music Streamer/Network Transport)? Similarly, where should the best power supplies be placed? Or does it all matter equally?

This is purely about the digital chain, I'm well aware that great speakers and a great AMP with good power and speaker cables make all the difference too!

I'm interested in opinions and I will of course experiment for myself.

jabbaman
jabbaman OP
56 posts
 

Good point, I was trying to keep the scope of the discussion to the digital aspect of the system. The DAC connects to a Zen Can as a pre-amp/headphone amp with an ifi pentaconn connector. From the Can connects to a Topping PA5 with a pentaconn to TRS cable (very hard to find....limited options, therefore). The noise then comes over Audioquest Rocket 11 to Wharfedale Diamond 12.3's - and a great noise it is too!

danager's avatar
danager
943 posts
 

For me  filtering the USB power from the source made a huge difference,  maybe as much as changing from the MHDT Orchid DAC to the PSAudio DirectStream.  I've never heard a Zen Stream but my experience is that the source feeding the DAC has a huge effect on sound quality.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,892 posts
 

@jabbaman 

Any recommendations on the best DAC that is just a core DAC?

Price range?

 

 

 

 

jabbaman OP
56 posts
 

Magic question! My current DAC is under £200 and being realistic I can't justify spending over £1k anytime soon.

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,655 posts
 

After being disappointed with two streamer purchases ( Roon Nucleus, Aurender A10)  I have to agree with others spend the most on a DAC and buy the streamer that has the output you need and software you like to use.

I found very little (more different then better) improvement going from an optimized PC based system to the Aurender A10 and an actual down grade in sound going to the Roon Nucleus.  

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