2. cables
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Recommendations for 5k upgrade

As winter approaches more time is spent listening so I have allocated this budget for system changes and/or improvement. Planned changes are marked between brackets.

Source:
PC based music server / SB Touch (ext. power supply upgrade, maybe Bolder?) fed into Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC with Dexa opamps. Alternative source: Sony DVP 9000ES CD/SACD via optical.

Amplification:
Conrad Johnson CT-5 with 6H30DR tubes, CJ LP140 mono blocks (tube rolling planned, which 6922?)

Speaker/sub:
Dunlavy SC-IV modded, Velodyne DD-12 or REL R305 (haven't decided which one to keep)

Power Conditioning:
Audience AdeptResponse 12 with e PowerChord (AU24e PC planned, dedicated 20A lines planned with the next room renovation)

Cabling:
IC: NordOst Valkyrja throughout (maybe Valhalla, looking for alternatives with better price/performance), NordOst Silver Shadow for S/PDIF
SC: NordOst Heimdall (probably the weakest link here, upgrade to Tyr2 ? Alternatives?)
PC: NordOst Vishnu to preamp and power amps, stock PCs on other devices (waiting for the final direction for PCs, not sure to stick to the loom theory, having all PCs of the same brand)

Isolation: mostly Black Diamond Racing cones/pucks and one BDR shelf under the preamp, some Stillpoints (planning to experiment with alternatives like Aurio, Symposium, etc, under the devices, maybe some for under the speakers)

Room treatment: just acoustic panels behind the speakers, need high WAF suggestions for my 21' x 30' room which has a half sloping cathedral ceiling and an open staircase. (looking for bass traps that can blend in with the interior for the corners)

I am not unhappy with the current setup but like to have more details without being too lean/bright.

What is my weakest link?

Of course YMMV but appreciate any suggestion to take this system to the next level without a second mortgage (or divorce) and/or improve the synergy between components. TIA!
polyglot
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,226 posts
 
Polygot, I can see why you prefer your new system to the old one, but do you really think getting to the "next level" will be any easier or less expensive than the last major upgrade? The law of diminishing returns starts kicking in quite severely at about the point you're at. Your stated budget will allow for some refinement of what you already have, but I don't think it will truly take you to the next level. Of course, you could prove me wrong.
aaronknock
44 posts
 
polyglot OP
77 posts
 
To prospective sellers: please refrain from contacting me directly to sell me (your) goods, as some of you have tried, it will only raise my alertness and consequently my discontent. I am considering those messages to Audiogon, maybe they will land in a new "Hall of Shame".

To all the others, please keep your suggestions coming, thanks!
vhiner
544 posts
 
Polyglot,

As I'm sure you've noticed, the harder the "sell," the more dubious the product. Hope you have a chance to audition a higher end digital source. Please report back if you do.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Yes, I would agree that the source is where I would direct my attention first.

One A'goner recommended the DEQX. Another option would be the DSPeaker Dual Core 2.0. Got a Golden Ear award in TAS, and Kal Rubinson also thought highly of it in Stereophile. The DSP improvement of your bass could lessen some of your need for room treatment (if they turn out to not pass the WAF test). You also get balance control, an EQ, time delay and a number of other features that let you fine tune your sound. These are available at online outlets with solid return policies like Tweek Geek if there is not a dealer in your area. It has been fabulous in my system, and I am using both with digital and analog (!) inputs. Did not expect it to be as transparent as it is with my turntable's analog input.

As for power conditioning, I find this to be very system dependent as well dependent on the specific power problems you may have. Very important to audition in your own system here (and try any conditioner with amps plugged into it, vs into the wall to see if there are any dynamics being restricted). My apt's power is poor enough that I needed a conditioner I could plug my amps into (so I could sleep well at night). The Running Springs Haley and the Equitech 2Q are the two best power conditioners that I have had in my system. But in all things power conditioning, YMMV.
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