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New DAC or New Streamer?

This should be fun. After I pay to get my amp upgraded at VAC next month  I plan to either upgrade my DAC or Streamer next. I should have enough for that by late spring/early summer. I'm retired so I save some each month until I have what I need. My system is in my user profile. But to keep this simple my current DAC is the Dinafrips Venus II I got a year ago. (I also have the Hermes DDC)

My streamer is the Cambridge CXN V2 via coax to the Hermes-> I2s -> DAC which is also 1 year old. I was just getting into streaming then and knew little about it. I have learned a lot this past year, a whole lot.

I think the bottle neck is leaning more toward the streamer. It seems the DAC is pretty good, I know there are much better DAC's out there but it holds it own I think. Maybe not? I cannot afford the likes of DCS, Lampizator, etc.

The next planned upgrades are a Terminator II DAC and Aurender N200 Streamer. Both are $5000-$6000. (Unless I go for the Terminator + DAC that is $7500 but I am not sure it is $2500 better than the Terminator II)

So, since both will get upgraded a year apart, which should I go for first? Which would provide the biggest upgrade?

Thanks. Happy holidays to all.

128x128fthompson251
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@lollipopguild 

Roon is more fully featured, but Sense is simpler and more than enough for me. At least Sense is free, and enabling the Roon trial is also easy. Give it a few months for it all to settle before trying it though. 

Thanks, I’m not in a hurry and will sort this out.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@lalitk 

Much appreciated.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@fthompson251 

Just to be clear I haven't heard the Innuos or the Aurender yet but they're on the radar. I have been receiving from a few folks feedback that's been quite favorable toward Aurender units. I need to explore more.

Charles

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 

@charles1dad

I own the Innuos Zenith 3 and can tell you that Sense sounds far better than Roon on an Innuos player. Roon sounds flat and dull compared to Sense. Sense is more open sounding with better inner detail retrieval and improved realism. Roon’s bass is thicker and has less articulation compared to Sense.

The Sense program is miles ahead of where it was when it was first introduced. I must say Roon is a slightly better interface in terms of available artist info, lyrics, navigation and such. It just is. Roon radio is a very nice feature not offered in Sense. It plays artists similar to the ones you know and love and is a great way to learn of artists you may come to really enjoy. As much as I like the Roon interface I simply can no longer listen to it after hearing Sense! This coming from a Roon lifetime member 😬  

I highly recommend getting the Network Acoustics Muon filter package with your streamer. It really improves the streaming experience by improving the realism and your connection to the music. It peels away noise that disrupts engagement. Wonderful piece with a trial period.

 

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,500 posts
 

I have found that the better the dac the MORE important the server/streamer and other network tweaks become. You need a great server/streamer to hear all your dac has to offer. Upgrades like ethernet filters, ethernet cables, and linear power supplies on your modem/router and switch become more important with a better dac. That’s if you want to hear all your new and more expensive dac can deliver.

A less resolving dac with lower fidelity will not benefit as much from a high quality streamer/server and the various network upgrades.

Also, our playback systems are comprised of more than digital front ends so our amplification and speakers must also be up to the task. Oh my it never ends!

 

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