2. digital
  3. 186628-20132

Upgrading my streaming/digital system- what would make the most sense?

Hello all,

I would like to improve my digital chain and I'd like to get your feedback on which component(s) are worth upgrading first.  I would like to get a more natural/organic sound and more naturally layered soundstage.  Don't get me wrong, it sounds good but there is a bit of digital haze ( I think the blacks could be blacker and spatial cues could be more present- thus the somewhat flat presentation), and at times the music sounds a little artificial, albeit very clean.
I use Roon to stream Tidal and Qobuz and the digital audio chain consists of ethernet  cable> switch (basic cisco)>  2 ethernet cables
> Macmini (roon core) 
> Moon 280d with Mind2 bridge (roon endpoint etc)
(The rest is Vinnie Rossi preamp in passive mode to Pass Labs xa60.5 mono's to Avantgarde duo's or Thiel 3.7's; cabling Nordost Heimdall 2; I also have an analogue set up).

I had always assumed that the most effective upgrade would be the dac, particularly because in this configuration the '"noisy" Macmini does no processing other than sending a stream of 1's and 0's as a Roon core/server to the Moon/Mind2 bridge as Roon endpoint/renderer.

But some have suggested that this is not the case ie the Macmini should be replaced with a Nucleus or Small Green Computer, or something else along these lines, rather than the Dac.  But would that really make such a noticeable improvement rather than a considerably better dac?
Or would something else yield a better improvement?
I would like to go in stages rather that doing a wholesale replacement of the entire chain so I need a bit of help to decide what the next step should be- many thx for your thoughts and feedback.



 

pgastone
ghdprentice
7,255 posts
 

If I understand your setup. I would start with an upgrade to your DAC. I have lived with a Sim Moon 760? For many years… it lacked natural / musical sound. So I would definitely start there. Then you want a good streamer… of equal cost to the DAC… I am a real fan of Aurrender.

 

My experience of upgrading and trying to get digital to the level of analog over the last 35 plus years is that today an appropriate approximate investment level is stand alone streamer = DAC = preamp = amp. They must be carefully chosen to be of the sound type you like (detailed and fatiguing vs musical and natural) and compatible.

 

So I would first calculate what you should spend on the DAC and then get that first… then a streamer. I’ve used Roon, seems like a very unnecessary complication to me… but some folks like it. 

knock1
239 posts
 

@pgastone 

So, you did not like any of advices in your thread regarding exactly the same question from over a year ago?

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,075 posts
 

Search on the forum. There’s enough to degalze or glaze you over. There’s gobs. 

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,202 posts
 

I have spent 3-4 years experimenting , Fiberoptic sucks some life out of the music 

these are keys buy a modem- router combo ,I bought the latest Motorola 8702 that has docsis 3.1 especially if you have separates 

get rid of the wall wart crap power supplies ,put in linear power supplies 

to the router you want something decent minimal  little green computer$299  look on bottom of router ,voltages normally 12v -4 amp 

the best one use by far is the Linear  Tube Audio LPS $750 and comes witha great DC cable that goes to the router ,others charge $150 for included$750

then buy a good Ethernet hub which I found for $600 which is very good 

and Quality Ethernet cables, and usb cables a must ,Dac is the most crucial being the sourse. And makes a big difference then a server,streamer like a innuos 

or something similar. Good digital ,like good analog cost $$ imo $10 k minimum 

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,816 posts
 

I'm in the camp that the DAC is the heard of your system and you get the most bang from the buck there. 

  I'd put your core on a NUC, install ROCK and let that stand alone.  

Then spend big money upgrading your DAC.  I personally highly recommend chord DAVE and also the Chord Mscaler. But there are lots of other great DACS out there when you are willing to spend 5 digits.

Jerry

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