What improvements would you like to achieve at this point? Agree the Wiim is an obvious weak link, and I’d upgrade that rather than worry about an external clock, which would be like putting sporty tires on a Toyota Corolla — sure you can do it and it might be a little better, but it’s still a Corolla. What preamp are you using, because that’s huge.
Would an external clock “help” in this signal chain?
My system sounds quite good to my ear. But I did spend a lot of time battling a harsh top end which I seem to be especially sensitive to. It’s now pretty great but I can’t help but wonder ‘what if??’ when I think back to all these components I’ve added and how each added to the overall character.
Specifically I’m considering an external clock (or two?) in this chain. Also curious about using a grounding block. Maybe something else?
Here’s the signal chain:
iFi LAN iPurifier (converts signal to fiber optic and back)
RJ45 Cat8
Uptone EtherREGEN
RJ45 Cat8
WiiM Ultra (is this a bottleneck? Thought about Holo Red)
USB
Singxer SU6
I2S
Gustard R26
XLR
Tube Pre
XLR
Buckeye Hypex NCx500
Wharfedale Linton 85th
Everything is run through a Synergistic Research Power Cell (scored it used and it still broke the bank).
Either iFi Elite or chinesium linear power supplies.
Power cords are Viborg.
Interconnects AudioQuest Cinnamon.
Thank you!
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I appreciate all the input. A few more details I should have mentioned: Preamp: Sonic Frontiers Line 2 with 4 fresh JJ gold pin 6922 iFi Elite Power supplies on: iFi LAN Purifier Uptown Audio EtherREGEN Deco Router eBay/China Linear Power Supply on Singxer SU6 https://ebay.us/m/2CYNRe
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I would consider reducing the number of components, and get fewer but better components. E.g., Airgapping is implemented in several components (e.g. my Holo May DAC), so you could get rid of purifier and regen. With all those gizmos, with their power supplies and additional cables, you are inviting problems. The famous KISS principle. You could also check for issues with pre vs. post-DAC problems by plugging smart phone in and see whether you hear the same top harshness. It could also be the speakers or the room. |
Some great advice here I very much appreciate, thank you. So the accessory modules that each offered sonic improvements are mere bandaids for a non audiophile streamer (WiiM Ultra) caused set of issues? My complaint is a kind of harshness I thought was inherent in anything approaching a resolving system. I turned toward more musical components like a tube pre, Gustard R26 and Linton speakers yet it’s still there. An analogy I can make would be like when I first played with a snare drum as a kid. For months I was fascinated/enthralled but then one day the raspy sizzle bit a little too hard and I almost felt an aversion to it. I was drawn instead to the rounder sound of the tom. So what would be some top streamers? Or should I be looking for a Streamer/DAC? I don’t use a computer to stream but rather the Tidal App on my phone (and gf uses Spotify) so whatever I do needs to work similarly. The Gustard R26 sounds so much better than the chip based DACs I’ve tried so I probably prefer a ladder design over chip based. Supposedly the R26 can stream via LAN but I’ve yet to figure it out. The WiFi Extender is a neat idea. Perhaps I need to try that soon as well. |
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