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Should I make any changes?

I would like some thoughts about making some equipment changes or just do nothing. Sadly, I had to substantially reduce the size of my listening room and forever say goodbye to my Apogee Divas, Krell power amps, preamp and the big open sound they produced. I have set up a smaller system consisting of Harbeth SHL5+XD speakers, an Accuphase E-280 integrated amp with top quality cables. I listen mostly to jazz and classical music on CDs so I retained my Sonic Frontiers “Iris” transport with a Theta Gen 5 DAC from the original system. The overall sound is not as big but very good, but these units are decades old and possibly an equipment upgrade could markedly improve the CD sound. Here’s my first question: I keep the Sonic Frontiers transport (probably still state-of-the art) and replace the Theta with a current top quality DAC. My second question: Replace both units with a high quality single compact disc player. In either case what, if any, newer units could improve sound of the new smaller system. My price range is 3K to 4K (or more?).
larryjazz
zlone
1,321 posts
 

Yes, a DAC upgrade is definitely in order. I am with @ghdprentice , it is a good time to switch to streaming, you will be glad that you did. Schiit makes a good range of DAC’s, from the same guy that designed your Theta. I like the Innuos streamers, good software, good support, great sound.

dynacohum
833 posts
 

Ayre CX8 with an optional USB module and a Node Icon should set you up for top tier CD playback and streaming.  The Ayre would need to be used to fit the budget. 

deep_333
2,420 posts
 

Should you...should you not?

Do you even seriously listen to..or enjoy listening to, appreciate specific artists and so on?

Or....is it all.. genre background music?

 

I listen mostly to jazz and classical music on CDs so I retained

 

?

lak's avatar
lak
4,816 posts
 

I suggest one of the current Transports and Dac's that are receiving the attention of the informed audio crowd without breaking the bank.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,830 posts
 

Sonic Frontiers made really good sounding gear. But…keeping the Iris is a risk. If it breaks you will most likely not be able to fix it due to unavailability of parts. 
I’m with @ghdprentice on starting to shift towards streaming. You can begin the process by upgrading the DAC to a unit that includes a network card. With $3k - $4k budget you can definitely get something really nice on a used market. Keep the SF transport to spin CDs until it dies or sell it to add funds to the streaming setup purchase. 

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