Thanks Ivan, great posts.
The way I consider ’the weakest link’ as a bottleneck.
All the other bits could sound better, but the weakest link is holding the rest back, since the bottleneck is at the peak of it’s performance. And if it is replaced with a better bit of kit, the whole rest of the system can move up, to what is the next block of the component which is doing all it can, and then is the one holding back the other components, which if given a chance, could sound better.
And to willemj Agree about speakers.
Disagree about CD playback being superior to vinyl.
I do confess I have an expensive LP playback setup: Bought here on AgoN’ Kuzma Stabi/Stogi S with a Dynavector 17D3 to the also bought here: ARC SP-15 phono.
The closest I get to that using CD is a Sony SCD777ES.
My LP playback is definitely better. Though i do play CDs for ease of use. (I typically use a eBay $40/$80 max 5 disc changer( (most changers sound like doggie doo. I found a few models I can enjoy) to my DAC. The sound is slightly less than the Sony SCD777ES playing CD, but good enough for everyday use. ’(saving’ the Sony for as long as I can) If I spent a bit on perhaps a yggdrasil my CD playback might improve? I would never spend more than a few grand on a CD playback DAC.
The way I consider ’the weakest link’ as a bottleneck.
All the other bits could sound better, but the weakest link is holding the rest back, since the bottleneck is at the peak of it’s performance. And if it is replaced with a better bit of kit, the whole rest of the system can move up, to what is the next block of the component which is doing all it can, and then is the one holding back the other components, which if given a chance, could sound better.
And to willemj Agree about speakers.
Disagree about CD playback being superior to vinyl.
I do confess I have an expensive LP playback setup: Bought here on AgoN’ Kuzma Stabi/Stogi S with a Dynavector 17D3 to the also bought here: ARC SP-15 phono.
The closest I get to that using CD is a Sony SCD777ES.
My LP playback is definitely better. Though i do play CDs for ease of use. (I typically use a eBay $40/$80 max 5 disc changer( (most changers sound like doggie doo. I found a few models I can enjoy) to my DAC. The sound is slightly less than the Sony SCD777ES playing CD, but good enough for everyday use. ’(saving’ the Sony for as long as I can) If I spent a bit on perhaps a yggdrasil my CD playback might improve? I would never spend more than a few grand on a CD playback DAC.