Thanks for the suggestions. I've been at the Denafrips Pontus II. Do you think the addition of that to the Node would yield good results? Then add an upgraded streamer. Or is the Node not going to deliver good enough data to the DAC to make an audible difference??? Again, thanks for the suggestion!!!
Streamer/DAC combinations
Looking for opinions on Streamer/DAC combinations. I am currently using a Node as my streamer and DAC. Considering upgrading. The options seem to be endless, so thought I'd solicit some of your opinions. My node is currently running through a McIntosh C42 Preamp into a McIntosh MC352 Power amp. Using Klipsh Forte IV's. The node sounds good, but I think I may be leaving something on the table in SQ. Not wanting to break the bank so to speak. Maybe spend in the $2-3K area for budget. Opinions???
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There’s no doubt you’ll hear a significant improvement with the Pontus over the DAC in the Node (you’ll need a good digital cable BTW). You should notice better tonality and much better imaging/soundstage. The thing is, and with pretty much everything in audio, it comes down to balance — the audio chain is only as strong as the weakest link, and in this case that would be the Node as a bottleneck. The Pontus will show you much more fed by a better streamer. With your budget, and as I mentioned above, you could get both the Pontus and Pulse Mini and solve both issues, so why not? |
I recommend upgrading in stages. First a better DAC… as good as you can afford, then wait, save. Then a good streamer. Like every audio component a carefully chosen upgrade of 2x - 3x investment and you will get a very noticeable and satisfying improvement in sound quality.
@soix +1 |
a few thoughts 1) make sure your networking front end is clean and well filtered (ether regen, lhy switch with nice clock, and/or network acoustics filters and the like ...) -- this can help soundstaging downstream in digital processing 2) you did not say which node you have... the node x should be better (still not great, but better) than prior versions whose dac noticeably dulls the sound and robs it of spatial info 3) a denafrips pontus is a nice dac that images well and brings a dose of midband/midbass warmth, otherwise a chord qutest or gustard r26 will bring even better delineated imaging with a greater sense of air and transient clarity
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- 52 posts total