2. digital
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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
 

@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.  

clhs04
62 posts
 

Consider KEF LS60 wireless or the smaller monitor LS50 II and get rid of alot of boxes and cables and enjoy fully powered digital streaming.

jabbaman OP
56 posts
 

Interesting but I'm not ready to drop £6k on a pair of speakers. I am planning to do some A/B testing tomorrow against my upgraded wireless router to see if all the Ethernet magic in the chain has any discernable benefit. If I can't hear a serious difference I will be returning / selling a lot of components!

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
273 posts
 

Since your streaming, look at the weak points of streaming before changing DAC’s or room treatments.  The SOtM cable 7u is great.  Adding an EtherRegen (needs an LPS and better yet a Master-clock also) to use as a “moat” and using the 7u between it and the streamer will give you a cleaner feed.  I have the 7u and also have the older ENO filter.  The 7u is better.  I have 3 switches and use the EE 8switch as the first buffer from the house Router’s noise.

USB, Ethernet or other Digital Cables are very influential to SQ.

I have an ifi Purifier, a dozen PS Audio Noise Harvesters and 3 Akiko Corelli’s.  I find the more noise suppression I add the sweeter the sound in terms of background blackness.  If you can demo a Corelli you might be very surprised at what it does.  The thing about noise is you don’t hear it until its gone, it’s not like distortion or jitter.

Jitter is the bane of digital and reclocking the USB and Ethernet is the starting point.

Depending on your DAC’s inputs using a DDC to avoid USB may be beneficial.

Keeping all SMPS’s or LED/fluorescent lights off for the electrical leg you audio is on will greatly reduce electrical noise.  Shutting down/ unplugging electrical equipment like computers, any SMPS’s in the house ( if you look you will find them in every room) can’t hurt either.

Keeping unused audio gear off like a phono pre amp or CD player.

Separating your digital and analog gear on dedicated lines keeps the digital noise out of the analog.

jabbaman OP
56 posts
 

Having done some initial listening tests this evening between Wi-Fi and the very complicated (and expensive) Ethernet path my conclusion is that Wi-Fi is just as good as over £1k's worth of Ethernet toys.

I plan to do some more tests tomorrow but I'm very pleased everything is still returnable! Now that £1k can be redeployed into a new DAC to experiment with.

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