I was told by someone in the industry to spend the money on the DAC and AMP (electrical path) and that the output from various streamers was pretty much the same, assuming a properly implemented streamer like $400 plus, but even a few for less and assuming the dac has proper clocks/jitter control. For the streamer he said focus in reliability, interface, features, ongoing support, apps . . .
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.
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@carlsbad You honesty is refreshing. And you could have almost made it there simply with PS improvements and/or an ENO etc. FOr $4500 you got snob appeal. | |
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I have the iFi Zen Stream with their upgraded SWPS. I added fiber ethernet right before the iFi and switched from the good DAC in my McIntosh to an incredible DAC and for the first time my digital sounded better than my analog. Here is the problem..this whole thing is a money trap and the sky's the limit. If I had limited funds I probably would skip power amp and speakers and on the used market buy a well rated DAC with volume control and headphone out..Great pair of headphones and your iFi will shine. Mine sounds glorious. |
- 89 posts total