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New DAC or New Speakers?

I’m planning to blow some money on my system and can’t decide if I should upgrade my DAC or my speakers. I’m going all in on one or the other, not both. 

I have ethernet and fiber optic switches feeding a Lumin U2 mini modded with an external power supply. Two USB reclockers going into an LTA Aero DAC. Running a VAC Sigma 170 tube amp to Harbeth SHL 5+ XD speakers with a sub. 

Everything sounds great, and I recommend all said equipment, but I have a chance to make an upgrade. I’m considering swapping the Harbeths for some Devore O96s or swapping the Aero for either a Totaldac, or maybe a used Aries Cerat Helene. 

I can’t decide which route to take....

jacupmakeup
jacupmakeup OP
32 posts
 

@1bitsoul Thanks, the O96 sound great with my VAC. And I have a really good feeling about the QLN Prestige 3s and love the way they look. A lot of it is gonna come down to looks and size. These might be the top 2 contenders. 

kennyc
2,875 posts
 

Interesting. I view Harbeth and the O/96 somewhat differently.

I love the Harbeth 30.2 + Hegel combo, if I needed another system….

The Devore O/96 speakers are one of the most musical speakers I’ve demoed.  I have the very high efficiency Volti Rival 100db which I plan to investigate tube amp midrange magic including flea watt SETs.  Would be great fun to compare adequate powered tube amplification of the neutral Volti vs the O/96.  

rsure
40 posts
 

FWIW, I recently auditioned the O96s extensively (with Leben C300, C600 as well as top of the line Accuphase monoblocks) and found them to be really poor with heavier genres of music like hard rock and metal. While they are good with other types I found them to not do well at all with heavier music. 

helomech
2,009 posts
 

Speakers

abd1
203 posts
 

I would do speakers. Nothing changes the sound more than speakers. I’ve had the aero dac and it’s a great dac. You’d have to spend a lot more to get significantly better. And even then a better dac doesn’t always mean enjoying the music more. I’ve been playing with dacs between $3k-$18k and still hang on to my $3k dac. The more expensive ones are better but I just can’t say I’m enjoying the music more. 
 

however I did just get some Fyne F502s’s and they’re great. Actually can’t believe how good they are for under $4k. The 703sp’s are my pinnacle speaker and after listening to the F502s I can see upgrading likely. Curious to hear your thoughts if you get to audition them. I got to listen to a pair at a dealer in California and they were excellent in every area.

 

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