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Where’s My Weakest Link?

Hi All,

I often find myself wondering where to put resources (money) to take my system to the next level. Over the years I have slowly acquired equipment and sometimes I am impressed with the “upgrade”, others I am disappointed with the change/cost ratio. I recently purchased Jim Smiths book, Get Better Sound and was blown away with the changes I was able to make with what I have but I am now back at crossroads of , whats next?

I am running a Bluesound Node 2i> Carver C-16 pre> Conrad Johnson Sonographe SA250> Thiel 1.2.

So what do you think the weakest link is / whats the smartest upgrade?

Thanks in advance!
otterbein
otterbein OP
7 posts
 
Thank you all for your insight, opinions and physcoanalytical analysis of one another.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Given the age I would look first at the pre and amp, maybe consider an integrated with a good dac as that's the weakest link in the Node2i. It has a good interface and a lot of streaming options. 
mahler123
3,039 posts
 
Nice dig, Otterbein (-:.
I’m new to the thread and after being turned off by some of the rants here from the Usual Suspects, haven’t read all the posts, but my answer to your OP would be the DAC.  The Node 2i canbe made to sound a lot better as you experiment with different DACs.  I didn’t see a budget so Would withhold a more specific recommendation pending that.
bob540
404 posts
 
The one bit of advice that I question is replacing power cords.  If the amp, pre-amp or whatever is quality equipment, WHY would the manufacturer then hobble its performance by putting an inadequate power cord on it?  It makes little sense to me that they would charge thousands of dollars for the electronics and then omit something like $100 for a good power cord.  I assume that they care about their reputation and want positive reviews vis-a-vis other manufacturers’ equipment, so it seems to me like a foolish economy to cut a corner when the extra expense to do it right isn’t all that much more.  What am I not understanding?
big_greg
6,557 posts
 
Sorry about the rant, but it does get tiresome to see people asking for help only to get slammed.

I'm not familiar with all your gear but know CJ makes good stuff.  Your source is probably the weak link.  What do you think? 

If you suspect that it is, adding an external DAC will help a little, replacing it with something better will help more.  I replaced Node 2 with a TEAC NT-505 which sounds much more "natural" (less digital, much bigger soundstage).  I had an Auralic Vega connected to the Node 2 and that sounded better than the Node 2 using its internal DAC.  The NT-505 was a significant and noticeable upgrade over the Node 2/Vega combo.  I was also considering a Lumin D2, but got a good deal on the TEAC and am happy I did.
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