@foamcutter I know a lot of members don't like the use of ChatGPT, and I agree you need to be vigilant in how you pose a question, and often need to point out some glaring mistakes in the GPT assumptions, but eventually you can get some very good and articulate answers. In your case, I just cut & pasted your entire post into GPT. Give it a try and see what you think of the suggestions it returns. I see no reason not to use every available source of information. Cheers.
Upgrade DAC Power Supply, Streamer, or ?
This is a bit long but I wanted to give as much info as possible. My current system: Van Alstine SET 400 amp, Van Alstine T-10 RB tube pre-amp, Denon HEOS 2 streamer, Merason Frerot DAC with factory wal-wort power supply, Salk HT2-TL tower speakers. I would say this system is slightly warm of neutral, open and detailed. I enjoy listening for long sessions with no fatigue. I've been streaming through Tidal for a year and rarely play CDs or Vinyl anymore.
The external Merason DAC was the most recent addition and works well with the Denon streamer bypassing its internal DAC by using a coaxial cable. It was a noticeable improvement vs. the Denon's internal DAC.
The Denon HEOS 2 was my entry-level streamer and it does sound good. The only thing I have to compare to is my Wiim Ultra which is also a fine unit with good SQ and features. The external Merason DAC was a noticeable improvement to both streamers.
Innuos Zen Mini Mk 3 with the Innuos LPS are a reasonable price on the used market and praised for sound quality and also for the SENSE App. It would also allow me to put my aprox. 1300 CDs on the internal SSD and help with physical down-sizing. I'm not sure if the internal DAC of the Zen is as good or better than the Frerot, but it appears I could bypass the internal DAC using the coax. output.
So which would give me the most bang for the buck by upgrading; the Frerot power supply, or streamer to the Zen Mk 3 ? I am MAC based and technology is not my forte. Budget is $2000 or less. Thoughts and recommendations are appreciated. Thank you.
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I’d upgrade the streamer first. You don’t wanna use the DAC in the Zen Mini, and you can get a Zen Mk3 for about the same price as a Mini with the LPS so I’d do that. Here’s a nice one at a good price that includes shipping. Hope this helps, and best of luck. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650276800-innuos-zen-mk3-1tb-streamerserver-excellent-condition/ |
+1 on the streamer @soix , but yes on the lps for your DAC sometime. Better to get a streamer that does not even have a DAC in it. Nice system you are building @foamcutter ! |
Since the Merason DAC has a dedicate power supply(POW1) to replace the wall wart... I would definitely recommend that. This should improve the whole system. I did the with my Sim Moon DAC (with their dedicated power supply) years ago and it profoundly improved the sound. I would consider leaving your physical CDs as a sunk cost. You can improve the sound of your system by upgrading your streamer to sound as good or better than they do, and have access to virtually all of them. It is a big waste of time ripping them when you can just access them on line. I got rid of all my CDs. While I had ripped them as I bought them 20years ago, I never play them. After your DAC upgrade I would then just work on updating your streamer to get better sound. |
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