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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
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,430 posts
 

@charles1dad

I know you are in information gathering phase and probably won’t pull the trigger on a streamer until your DAC arrives. While you await, I wanted to reiterate the importance of LAN cables. My experience with fiber optics kit was not great, as they tend to rob the dynamics and make the sound thin and lifeless; they do however effective in lowering the noise. That’s why I remained focused on lowering the noise by way of employing a high quality Ethernet switch / filter and use the best possible LAN cables. I have tinkered with wide variety of LAN cables over the years and found hybrid LAN cables with high purity silver and copper renders well balanced sound.

Knowing your discerning taste in music and gear, I would start off with LAN cable that uses PC-OCC copper and silver, like Audio Sensibility Signature LAN. Reasonably priced under $300. I am thinking of ordering a pair as well for my upcoming experiment with SOtM switch and filters. There are other favorites like Network Acoustics, Sablon, JCAT and SOtM (for crazy money). Supra CAT 8 is a good starter cable but you will end up walking away this once you hear cables from aforementioned brands.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@lalitk 

Thank you very much for your input and recommendations. Yes, I’m going to get the new DAC into my system and develop a degree of familiarity. Once achieved I’ll tackle the server /streamer component. More than likely I will just get a high quality LAN cable initially. I’m looking forward to this new listening venture. 

Charles 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,430 posts
 

@charles1dad

Sounds like a plan! I meant to include this comprehensive review of different ethernet cables by Audio Bacon. I like Jay’s approach on how he evaluates each cable, you may find it helpful! The article is bit dated and may not include some of the newer brands. 

https://audiobacon.net/2017/07/09/sotm-iso-cat6-special-edition-the-flavors-of-audiophile-ethernet/2/

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@lalitk 

Thanks for the link.

Charles 

teh_chucksta's avatar
teh_chucksta
54 posts
 

So late to this…I’m a budget guy so buying a $6,300 Aurender N200 is out of the question, and will continue to plug a DAC directly into my MacBook Pro (which was a gift). With the $$, my path leads me instead to upgrade to a Mytek Liberty ii (replacing an IFI Zen DAC 1) and add 2 REL S510 subs. My hope is these other purchases will provide better bang/buck.
My perspective.  Thanks.

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