@bthartman your experience supports what I recommended earlier in this post which is to connect DAC to amp and use DAC’s preamp section.
The McIntosh preamps and integrated amps tend to homogenize the input signal from different sources. It could be a good thing if that’s what you’re after. But if you’re looking to easily discern differences between components and cables, this won’t work. This isn’t a knock on McIntosh…there are other brands that stick to the same design philosophy.
upgrade question regarding DAC and streamer
I want to improve my system's imaging after having carefully placed my speakers and done some room treatment to reduce reflections.
My system includes a McIntosh MA8950 integrated amplifier, Sonus faber Olympica Nova III speakers, a Silent Angel Bonn 8 network switch and its LPU, and an Innuos Zen Mini Mark III with its LPU. I use the Mini with its Sense app to stream Qobuz to the McIntosh's DA2 DAC.
I am considering a DAC+streamer such as the MSB Discrete (with render/streamer add-on, and its separate single LPU) and the dCS Lina (with built-in power supply). My budget is about 15K.
In the future, I will get a separate preamp and amp, perhaps using the MA8950 as the preamp for a while.
The dealer with whom I have a great relationship carries MSB, dCS, and Innuos (their Stream3 may also be a good option when it comes out). Of course, I will listen to the DAC+streamer options with the same/similar integrated amp and speakers at the dealer's.
For the purpose of improving imaging with my system/room/good speaker placement, does upgrading the DAC and streamer make sense, or should I upgrade to separates first? Or something else?
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I am the designer and owner of Audio Mirror company. Here I write as audiophile. I highly recommend you to try WAVE DAC and WAVE preamp. I can send you both for audition with no obligation to buy. I will ask you only to cover the shipping cost. I always build audio equipment for my self. To satisfy my taste. If I like it - it becomes a product. I compared both pieces to very high price, top models and they (WAVE DAC and preamp)sounded better. For example VAC Statement and Conrad Johnson ART88. Lampizator Horizon 360 and Aries Kassandra. I can advise on a streamer too. I also think I can fit in your budget. Vlad |
This has been a great thread, I have went through a lot trying to come up with the best streamer for my system, twists and turns ended up with a dead in. I had the Nagra Streamer coming from Switzerland, I cancelled that yesterday because of the cheap made in China power supply that comes with it a 6k streamer with a crappy power supply. Good thing I didn’t give the dealer any money, he had it already coming so he can just sell it to someone else. |
I say something else. Since you stream Qobuz, start at improving the feed to your streamer. Having optical isolation before and after the switch and ethernet filtering before and after the switch will send a cleaner signal to your streamer and cleaner signal from your streamer to your DAC. I have a Network Acoustics ENO Ag filter between my router and EE Switch8, then a SOtM Ethernet cable with filter to an OpticalModule then fiber to an EtherRegen and then another SOtM Ethernet to my streamer. I also use another OpticalModule between the streamer and DAC. It sounds like overkill but it is very effective at stripping away noise and feeding the DAC with a beautiful sounding stream. Remember Garbage is Garbage out. Then you can then better hear the upgrade of a streamer or DAC or both. |
@rikkipuu What make of OpticalModule do you use? SOtM? |
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