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Options to improve digital sound

Hi,

I am looking for some, hopefully, simple advice.  My current digital system is an M4 MacMini feeding a Holo May DAC into a PrimaLuna 400 preamp and amp.  My speakers are Devore Gibbon X.  I primarily listen to downloaded and ripped files with Roon and Audirvana.  I also use Qobuz, but not as often.

The sound quality is good, but I feel like it could be improved.  The options I'm considering are a Small Green Computer SonicTransporter i7 to replace the Mini, or a SGC UltraRendu to put between the Mini and the Holo May.

Which option would be better?  Is there a better option?  I'd like to keep the cost under around $2500.

Thanks

walt8489
zlone
1,365 posts
 

Nice system! I think your best bet is to add a Roon endpoint between the Mac and the May. This isolates a lot of the noisy processing required by Roon. You will get a lot of recommendations for endpoints, I have had good luck with Innuos. Check out the used market, you can get some good deals. And be sure to allow in your budget a good digital cable connection between the endpoint and your DAC.

sns
4,218 posts
 

I went through three Mac minis with various diy modifications, the two most effective were mod to operating systems, shutting down unneeded services, the other was adding LPS with Uptone JS-2 and MMK. So this one route and you'd have a pretty nice streamer at this point. 

 

I like the idea of adding an Endpoint, Roon sound quality improved running Core on one streamer, Endpoint on something like the UltraRendu. I use the OpticalRendu finding optical conversion worthwhile. The problem with this is you won't hear the full potential of the Endpoint with your mini in present state.

 

So, if not into diy mods with present mini, and I don't really like your mini as I believe it has soldered RAM (RAM upgrades another worthwhile mod), I'd suggest a new streamer The SonicTransporter  I7 is a very nice streamer at that price point, remember you'll also have to invest in a 12v 4 amp linear power supply to power it. SGC has their own, the other options I'd suggest are likely over your budget. And then sometime in the future you could add something like Ultra or OpticalRendu for even further improvements. 

 

 

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