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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@herman "It's always amusing when someone posts a completely outrageous scenario and the audiophools pile on thinking it was serious. Bravo !!! You got these phools to believe you spent almost $700 on an ethernet switch, thousands on power supplies and wires, and less than $200 on a DAC". herman - Absolutely spot on m8. What a phool the OP must be. |
@daveteauk I don't respond to trolls but I can guarantee that you would not speak to me like that face to face. At least not twice. Go and learn some manners then come back when you are ready to be a grown up. |
I invested in the streamer and it was worth it. DAC too, but that was more based on listening to it. The streamer decision was easy after weighing what Aurender does / can do . You can't recover lost DATA after the source , so I think of the streamer as a modern day "Transport" I was waiting for streamers to mature a little and bought an Aurender N200. It's a kick ass machine. Love it so far. |
@oddiofyl great comment. As I'm learning as I go I've already started researching and saving for a better network transport and DAC. I have my eye on a few options but will take a look at the Aurender. |
