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Where to invest the most in the "digital chain"?

Dear All,

I'd love to get everyone's opinions on where best to invest/invest the most, in the "digital chain".

Using my current "basic" system as an example I have very good Internet service into a very good router with the stock PSU on a dedicated power conditioner strip with an ifi AC iPurifier. From there I have Audioquest Pearl Cat6 to a Cisco 2960G with an upgraded Russ Andrews Power Cable. There follows another AQ Pearl Cat6 to an English Electronics 8Switch with an ifi iPowerX. From there I have the Chord C-Stream Ethernet to my ifi Zen Stream with a 15V ifi iPowerX. Then a Wireworld Chroma 8 cable to an ifi iPurifier3 into a Zen DAC v2 also with ifi iPowerX. The EE8, Stream and DAC benefit from a power-conditioner/surge protector and a pair of AC iPurifiers.

I've got a SotM iSO-CAT7 on order which I am intending to put between the EE 8Switch and the network transport with a dCBL-CAT7u into the network transport.

Phew, that was a lot of words!

My question is, and this applies to all systems as a generic question, where is it best to invest the most? Should the best Ethernet cables and/or switches and/or isolators be first in the chain (i.e. from the Internet source) or at the end of the chain (into the DAC/Music Streamer/Network Transport)? Similarly, where should the best power supplies be placed? Or does it all matter equally?

This is purely about the digital chain, I'm well aware that great speakers and a great AMP with good power and speaker cables make all the difference too!

I'm interested in opinions and I will of course experiment for myself.

jabbaman
ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,443 posts
 

First the best DAC that you can afford. Then an equivalently high quality streamer. They both matter, and should be of similar caliber to your preamp, and amp… meaning , well chosen and of equal investment.

 

My theory based on my experience with lots of streamers and not a lot of experience playing with exotic switches and cabling is that you have an opportunity to get spectacular streaming sound quality ether by getting a top notch streamer (I have owned: Aurlic Aries G2, Aurender N100, N10 (auditioned and with many friends that own) and W20SE. Or a slightly lessor one and playing with your networking infrastructure.

 Streamers are critical components. You can then get small increases in sound quality by playing with infrastructure (like interconnects and power cords). Or you can get a slightly lessor streamer and fiddle with your network. From my experience with streamers… you want a really good one.

 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,571 posts
 

Yes , I believe a great DAC needs an equally good digital front end.   I just ordered a streamer to go with my DAC.  The Vault sounds good but I question the quality of its coax digital out.   I will find out Thursday if this line of thinking is correct   
 

I really like my current DAC but I can trade up within a year (June) and I might just do that

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

 

Yes , I believe a great DAC needs an equally good digital front end. I just ordered a streamer to go with my DAC. The Vault sounds good but I question the quality of its coax digital out. I will find out Thursday if this line of thinking is correct

@oddiofyl

Yes, it seems intuitive that a high quality streamer is a necessity as it’s the front end source of the digital signal path. How can that not matter? I believe you and @ghdprentice are on to something. Anyway you’ll find out for yourself in a few days and make direct comparisons between your 2 steamers. I look forward to the outcome of your listening.

Charles

jabbaman OP
56 posts
 

Loving this, thanks so much for the insights. I'm particularly interested in the thinking that having the highest quality streamer at the front end negates the need for as much tinkering in the Ethernet chain (though I also wonder if that can only help a high-quality streamer reach greater heights?)

For now, I need to remain within my self-imposed budget which is why I can tinker with the Ethernet and USB chain. To be fair the budget kit I've got sounds really good (to my ears) so I should get a decent period of use out of it before I look to replace the network transport/streamer and DAC.

That said it's not stopping me from reading about better DACs already! :)

12many
354 posts
 

I was told by someone in the industry to spend the money on the DAC and AMP (electrical path) and that the output from various streamers was pretty much the same, assuming a properly implemented streamer like $400 plus, but even a few for less and assuming the dac has proper clocks/jitter control.  For the streamer he said focus in reliability, interface, features, ongoing support, apps . . . 

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