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Debate on a whole front end change

I am currently in a debate with my old man on selling a portion of his front end setup and use the savings to buy a new pair of speakers and also get an improvement in sound at the same time from the benefit of better speakers and better front end.

The benefit of better speakers is no dispute, but he considers my recommended setup as a strong downgrade.

He currently has a Denon "cost-is-no object" top loading CD Player (don't recall the exact model), Theta Gen VIII v2 preamp, Jeff Rowland Model 7 mono amps, ML Descent-I sub x2 and ML CLS speakers conditioned with PS audio PPP x2 and Kimber Select cabling throughout

The sound is intoxicating and the noise floor is pitch black. Any time I get a chance to visit I am always impressed how well his front end makes the CLS shine.

My recommendation is the following setup:

PS Audio PWD = 3000
PS Bridge = 800
Ethernet cable = 100 (for a good one)
2TB NAS hard drive = 200
Ipod remote/play list controller = 200
PnP app for ipod = 9.95

4309.95 Total

Beside the money that could be used to upgrade your speakers "SIGNIFICANTLY" this setup would benefit your setup in several ways:

1) 7,000.00 - 11,000.00 SAVINGS!!!
2) Less AC draw
3) Consolidated CD library via NAS hard drive
4) Playlist creation ability and not need to switch discs EVER

.....now the above mentioned are just conveniences that do not affect sound.

5) Native sampling = RAW 100% uncompressed data with no error correction = the ability to use the DAC 192/32 Khz if so desired. No jitter and less information lost via cd to IC to preamp.

So at this point he disagrees without explanation suffice to say that this is a downgrade. I am not avid audiophile and therefore cannot explain anything scientifically to him and I know just how good his front end products are but feel the change would be for the better.

Would like to know the thoughts of the community.

Regards,

-Joshua
masongsong
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,024 posts
 
There are 2 issues here - the sound and the convenience. Let's start with sound.

Is the Denon the DP-S1 - a landmark product? If I remember correctly, it is a transport. I believe that the Theta you are referring to is actually a DAC + preamp. The DAC already supports 24/192 inputs. So, I believe you have a transport plus a DAC in the system. Replacing a DAC can make a dramatic change to the sound of a system. The PWD is a fine product, but it may have a significantly different sound. You need to be careful with that.

A NAS based system with a GUI is a very flexible system. But it also means that someone needs to rip the files, which is not a hard task for common CDs (although it can be time consuming), but can be a challege for more off-beat CDs and for many classical CDs. Is that a task your father wants to take on? And, what type of music does he listen to? Is there a good set of high rez files that he would be interested in?

How about going at this slowly by setting up a trial system by just replacing the transport. If he has a laptop he can use that as a front end. If not, a $300 netbook is a decent start. Then he needs a USB to SPDIF converter so you can feed the Theta. Something like the m2tech Hi-face is only $125. Add a software player (I like J River Media Center) and you have a trial front end for not much money. then he can rip some CDs and he is off and running. If you can set up a trial system like that, he could get an idea if that type of front end makes sense for him. This may well not be the final front end, but it is a way to test the process for not much money, especially if he has an existing PC he can use.

Getting a PC type front end set up is relatively easy. But it is more than just hooking things up. You have to be very careful with the sound and with the total ease of use, including ripping.

My advise - take it slow.

masongsong OP
13 posts
 
@Rich - The sweet spot is actuall been increased since the last time I had the pleasure. He picked up some Sound Traps to increase the range of the room
masongsong OP
13 posts
 
@Erikminer - Replacing the cd player for another cd player is a moot point since his player is already a high quality play. Got the model from him (Denon DP-QS1). Unless he wants to buy a Meridian there really isn't much benefit to upgrading and the convenience with same or better quality sound using a media server with the DAC built in is why I was exploring the topic with him
masongsong OP
13 posts
 
@Dtc - You are correct, the Theta is a Pre/DAC in one and that is the big concern is that while both have DAC of similar performance like an amp has similiar wattage the big concern is the change in sound from the different technology used in both.

-Is there a difference in how to rip music to a regular external hard drive vs the NAS? All I know is about the NAS is that it uses a ethernet cable instead of a USB.

He is retired/disabled so he is up to the task if it pays the dividends of the effort. He has a large variety of music preference and there are many high -rez files he would be willing to download.

As easy as that kind of a setup would be for me he wouldn't invest ANY money without prior knowledge it sounds the same (for less) or better.

We pretty much have finialized that since I am going this route he might make the trip to UT to hear how it sounds and demo my future setup and take the step if it performs as well as I hope.

Thanks for all he feedback

-Joshua
rrog
1,958 posts
 
It sounds like your father knows what he is doing. The CLS is an amazing speaker. I still regret selling mine. I too thought I was going to get much better sound since I replaced them with a much more expensive speaker. I was wrong and I'm still kicking myself. So, is it the front end making the CLS shine or is it the other way around?

Call me old fashioned, but my two channel stereo system is sacred and I will never incorporate a computer or HT with that system. I don't want my music stored on a hard drive and I will never own an ipod. That's for kids to listen to with headphones.

You admitted yourself how amazing your father's system sounds. Why fix something that isn't broke? It may never be the same.
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