DAC/Pre-Amp Advice
Hey all!
Currently at a crossroads in my HiFi adventure. I want to know what you guys would recommend as my next upgrade to my system. Here is the equipment I currently have:
Bluesound Node
Yamaha A-S1200
Sony UBP-X800 (Using this as SACD player)
Rega Planar 2 Turntable
Pair of B&W 704 S2
I have had the amp for around 45-60 days now, and I love the sound now that I have had time to burn it in. Mostly stream music from Tidal right now (trying out Qobuz), and play the occasional Record/SACD with the equipment above. I feel the only things I am really desiring in this system is some type of room correction, and subwoofers.
When looking at room correcting software, what all do you guys recommend? With new Preamp/DAC would I need it to support MQA, or would my Node be able to take care of that? Budget is around $2500-3000, but I'm open to frankly any other suggestions. If you guys need any other info please let me know, looking forward to the discussion.
OP, until you get the room as close to "right" as possible (see the graph I posted) money on electronics is like putting lipstick on a pig as they say. You gotta measure AND listen, not one or the other. Get the room right first. That includes speaker positioning, room treatment, and DSP. I think the NAD C-658 checks the boxes on a DAC upgrade to the Node and adding DIRAC to the mix. |
@soix I can easily bring them out from the wall a bit more, but getting them closer is going to be difficult because my TV console is what is separating them. I'll see what I can do when I get home from work. Currently running WIFI, which I'm gathering is a big no no based on a couple of the other comments. I have a router not too far away, so a wired connection shouldn't be difficult. @ronboco & @vthokie83 This is a completely new thing to me. What benefits would a linear power supply provide? Just clean up noise? Your advice is noted. While I have been a fan of REL in the past, and sold many of them, my AMP sadly doesn't support the high level input feature on their subs. This is why I had settled on SVS, mostly because of the solid app support to help tweaking the sub to be a bit easier. I'll look into JL Audio, as I haven't had the pleasure of listening to their stuff yet. I think you are right on the C-658, it is definitely going to be and upgrade from the Node, but I think it will most likely be my fall back option. I'm interested in doing a bit more research before throwing in the towel.
Thank you all so much for the responses. You all are really opening my eyes to so many different things I don't know if I could have gleaned by watching videos and sifting through forums myself. |
Just did a little upgrading. Hagerman Trumpet preamp. Fed by Swagman LPS. Black ice DAC. Put together a set of open baffle speakers . Caintuck and Lii audio. Also a new pair of Fritz Carbon 7's. Still have 30 year old Klipsch Fortes . Depending on what I listen to sometimes the music almost encircles me.
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