1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 1134181977

Advice please for upgrade.

I asked for opinions almost a year ago on a good $2k upgrade for my system and was rewarded with great advice from all of you. It worked out so well, in fact, that I'm hoping for some more advice. I'm currently searching for another upgrade for about $2k that would make the most difference. The advice you guys gave last time was to concentrate on 3 areas:
1. Source
2. Room Acoustics
3. Preamp
I took advice #2 and #3 and am glad I did. I added a tubed preamp and my room was also somewhat tuned through acoustic absorption and diffusion panels. My question is: where should I go next for the most cost effective upgrade. My thoughts are:

1. Source- either a dac to use in conjunction with my current digital source, a Sony DVP-7700, which I've read works well as a transport, or a stand alone unit for CD playback only (I'd continue to use my current unit for DVD playback). I have no idea which dac to use but, through reading forums here, I'm thinking a Bel Canto, Audio Note or MF and possibly an Audio Aero, Shanling, Jolida or Sony DC-1 for a single unit.
2. Upgrade my speakers from Magnepan 2.7s to 3.6s.
3. Upgrade my SS amp.

My current system is a VTL 2.5 tubed preamp, Aragon 4004 MKII ss amp, Magnepan 2.7 speakers with a Kinergistics subwoofer and a Sony DVP-7700 source. I'm open to any other suggestions as well. Thanks
noble100
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
MikeSinger,

You reccommended the Electro DAC. Is this Electrocompionet? Also, I think you helped me last time I upgraded with your good advice - I appreciate your help.

Gmood1,

Where did you get your Audio Sector DAC? The NON OS type dacs seem to be what I'm looking for - more natural and 3 dimensional.

Thanks for your responses.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
1,368 posts
 
I'm using Sony S7700 as a transport with the Bel Canto DAC2. Sounds very nice. I tried various DVD players with this dac and found the 7700 to be really good. Modifications can be done to 7700 to improve it further as a transport, although I haven't modded mine yet. Using stock 7700 with the Bel Canto DAC2, this combo is smooth, full sounding with very solid bottom end and nice mids. I would not hesitate to recommend this dac. Especially when it will be used with S7700. I think you will like it. You may try it first - order DAC2 from Audio Advisor and listen to it in your own system. They have 30 days policy. Good luck.
nob_zulia
3 posts
 
Empirical Audio has and upgrade, that will turn the sony to a monster transport, Perpetuial technology has small Dac PA 3, which he also upgrade, that is a great front end that will out perform any $5k system.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Hi Noble100,
You can buy the Audio Sector Dac from Peter Daniels. Here's his site Audio Sector. Also you have the Scott Nixon Dacs.There's also the Audio Mirror Dac.

I would lean towards Audio Sector between it and the standard SN Dac.Not because of bias of owning it but because the AS Dac has a 48 volt transformer built into it. Instead of a standard 12 volt plug in transformer.This does make a difference in the music. Better presences,dynamic contrast, bass, etc.

You can buy a commercial version of this unit for around $1000 if you feel that spending more on the same internal parts will give you pride of ownership.LOL

But if your like me and want the performance without shelling extra out for cosmetics. Then the AS Dac without the standard chassis is a great way to go. This Dac won't be embarrased by anything out there. I feel it's the best audio purchase I've ever made bar none.
listener57
730 posts
 
When you go the transport to DAC separates route, strongly recommend you audition the Auricle Audio Encore Signature Digital IC for a superior low jitter/highly musical connection.
The revelation of performance inherent in my no longer manufactured EVS Millennium II DAC quite astonishing. Discovered that many CD's previously thought to be mediocre now sound beautiful when the digital IC changed for the tenth (? and, final) time. Same sense of discovery when connecting to my antique Scott Nixon Anodyne tube DAC so I think not just a "lucky" synergy with one DAC design.
I never realized how crucial to system optimization is this single wire between transport and DAC.
More to discover