Better DAC or better Streamer


Hello,

Which is better upgrade between the two?

1.  Chord DAVE DAC.

2.  Nagra Streamer. 

I am currently using Chord M Scaler with Hugo TT2 DAC.  Also using Astell&Kern SP3000 DAP for streaming the music.

Thank you,

 

 

eddy1

Probably, since you’re asking, it is only a question of which you upgrade first.  I’d say go for the streamer first and then get that signal as clean as possible and if you’re still not happy, go for the DAC. I noticed a huge improvement when I went to a Grimm MU1, connected via Ethernet cable, with the cable running through DX Engineering ISO-PLUS Ethernet RF Filters and using Puron power filters in the same outlet as the router.  There was no audible difference between the MU1 and SACD.  The cool thing about Grimm’s DACs is that they give the ability to up sample to either 2x or 4x.  To my ears, it doesn’t get much better than the 4x up sampling.  Links to the filters are below:  

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-iso-plus-2?srsltid=AfmBOoqNt2mAvvVq9e-uoloXY2x0rsNUwqENt5oeOX8jVwxFjIpgkZzL

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/puron-ac-power-conditioner/

Happy listening! 

What are you looking to achieve with the upgrade?   Hard to make any recommendation without knowing.

I would upgrade both.  Any Lampi product you can afford and Lucas Audio MS.  I found the Lucas Audio MS made an incredible difference in my system.

@eddy1 

Don't limit yourself...you're an audiophile...accept that you are going to upgrade both.  You were probably already leaning one way before the post so go for it and when your budget allows do the other and have fun!