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Help me with the upgrade path

Over the last 12 months, I spent some significant (at least for me) dough on new speakers (Bowers and Wilkins CM10), amplifier (Parasound A21), and Digital Preamp + DAC (Cambridge Audio Azure 851D). I find myself listening mostly to digital content (CDs converted to digital via iTunes or Tidal --> Apple TV --> Azure DAC). I had been planning to upgrade the other components in the chain but wanted to let the $$$ shock sink in before splurging further.

So this year I’m allowing myself just one more upgrade for at least another year. Given the fact that I am using Apple TV, which is not considered the best choice for music, and non-expensive Audioquest speaker wires (I think I paid around $75 for an 8-foot pair), I wonder where I should put my money.

1. Replace Apple TV? I like the Bluesound Node 2 which sells for about $499

2. Better speaker wires? Leaning toward Clear Day Shotguns

3. Better power cords for the amplifier and DAC? No idea which ones would be a good fit for the A21

I understand that there are too many varying factors in determining the best upgrade, and too many system dependent variables, etc. -- but still some feedback would be great.
128x128arafiq

Showing 3 responses by oleschool

oleschool's avatar
oleschool
722 posts
 
just my two cents...there will be many..

#1   Room treatment ! ( i use gik ) massive changes (this is a game changer!) Remember me when ya do it  : )

Imo...one of the best intermediate interconnect and spkr cables are Acoustic Zen. You can score a set of shotgun satori used here .( i like getting used interconnects there broke in and if they dont mate well you can resell them.( i would buy them here ) changing my interconnects top to bottom to  Matrix Ref 2   AZ was not sublte in any way .They were blind tests swapped to cheaper cables and the openess and bass changed dramatically.( tt to phono and to pre ,dac to pre etc ) all silver interconnects

I also run all AZ ac cables except for my mf nuvista ,i run  the Revalation Audio Labs (psu etc for my nuvista outboard power supply and the precept 2 reference ac cable) 

  Again a used score will set you back a few hundred for AZ Tsunami 's 
The interconnects will change the sound of your set up good or bad but it will change.

    I have fought the fuse thing ,but i am getting the urge to try the black in my setup slowly lol

    There are other things like recepticles like furutech and power treatment devices  that have helped me but i am in a unique setup( fully offgrid) .check you ac in power (whats it at? does it vary? ) the tweeks and mods will drive ya mad lol

    As for apple i have no idea i rarely play anything but vinyl, although i did play a cple cd's the other night.I switched back to vinyl ; )
 good luck 



oleschool's avatar
oleschool
722 posts
 
Make an offer and snag them ! I would be shocked if you didnt like them .. but remember cables change sound good or bad 
oleschool's avatar
oleschool
722 posts
 
Gik buddy they can print any design on the panel take some pics and fill out gik form .... 
Acoustic zen and mr lee are top notch . I run all az including adagios . I also run satori they are excellent ! And they are available here used often . It's were i bought mine , the interconnects are a little more challenging to find used . I run matrix 2 . The wows are good for the cash if ya wanna be more budget minded ( i didnt pick the names 😁) 
again good ac
treatment 
interconnects 
ac cables
spkr cable 
" isolation " I highly recommend star sound but not really budget oriented. 
Basically in order imo 


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