2. misc-audio
  3. 172655-158686

looking to upgrade - identify the weakest link?

I’m a tube and Klipsch guy looking to upgrade. I’m tempted by Cornwall IV, but their size is probably prohibitive (I’m married 😊). To increase soundstage and/or instrument resolution, maybe a tube preamp, or a tube DAC, or roll tubes in integrated amplifier …? How to identify the weakest link? Thanks in advance!

Equipment: Qobuz to ethernet PC Notebook with Audirvana or ethernet Blusound Node (2021) network streamer to Cambridge DacMagic 100 to Schiit Loki Mini+ EQ to Line Magnetic 210-IA 300B SET integrated amplifier to Klipsch Heresy III + Klipsch R-10SW.

Music: 1920-1980 Jazz: Armstrong, be-bop, 1960-80 avant garde jazz. 1950-1980 rock: Classic rock, Zappa, Beefheart, punk, post-punk. Opera: Wagner, Puccini, R. Strauss, Janacek, Bartok. Symphonic: Stravinsky, Bartok, Schoenberg, Mahler, Dvorak. 1950-1980 Afro-beat, Jamaican, Brazilian

ex-mtairy
dadork
632 posts
 

Along with the Fortes' if you are thinking a speaker change I would look at the Volti Razz also. I think it is a much better build.

oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 

Consider buying a good turntable, with a good arm, cartridge, and lots of good vinyl.

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

@tuberist it is not the source only the interface he has a Blue OS Node. 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
2,826 posts
 

If you are digital only, that dacmagic is your bottleneck. Look at some of the Denafrips products. But I also like the suggestion to buy a ‘table.

Oz

mesch
3,391 posts
 

I would upgrade the DAC. 

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