I would install audio grade fuses and wall outlets if not yet done so.
David Pritchard
David Pritchard
Identify System Bottleneck - Digital Front End or Preamp
Need some opinions on whether to upgrade my digital front end or preamp first.
System:
Speakers: Wilson Sabrina
Amp: VTL ST-150
Preamp: Hovland HP-100
Digital Front: Mac Mini w/ Audirvana3+ & Ayre QB-9
Cables: Cardas GR
I'm trying to decide between upgrading the Hovland HP-100 to VTL TL2.5i, or upgrading the digital front end to a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge. The Hovland HP-100 has been updated (twice) to the latest production specifications right before Hovland went out of business. I've also recently retubed with super low noise pre-war yugoslavian 12ax7s and super low noise telefunken 12at7s from RAM-labs. My concern with upgrading the preamp: Will the VTL tl2.5i actually surpass the Hovland's performance or will I actually loose sound quality?
Regarding upgrading the digital front end: I can only see benefits, but not sure if this is the bottleneck, or the preamp.
Room is highly treated so there is absolutely no need to address room treatment at this point.
System:
Speakers: Wilson Sabrina
Amp: VTL ST-150
Preamp: Hovland HP-100
Digital Front: Mac Mini w/ Audirvana3+ & Ayre QB-9
Cables: Cardas GR
I'm trying to decide between upgrading the Hovland HP-100 to VTL TL2.5i, or upgrading the digital front end to a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge. The Hovland HP-100 has been updated (twice) to the latest production specifications right before Hovland went out of business. I've also recently retubed with super low noise pre-war yugoslavian 12ax7s and super low noise telefunken 12at7s from RAM-labs. My concern with upgrading the preamp: Will the VTL tl2.5i actually surpass the Hovland's performance or will I actually loose sound quality?
Regarding upgrading the digital front end: I can only see benefits, but not sure if this is the bottleneck, or the preamp.
Room is highly treated so there is absolutely no need to address room treatment at this point.