What is next for my system?

[Joey_V]

What's next for my system since my parents want to get me something for my system?

I have the following:

SqueezeBox 3 (FLAC) -> Cary Audio SLP-98L tube pre -> Plinius SA-102 Class A amp -> Martin Logan Summits (with no special audiophile cables/wire.... only some generic 12ga speaker wire and RS Gold Series interconnects)

Now, I want you guys to know that I am mostly FLAC-based at this moment as I do not have a lot of CDs, nor do I own a single vinyl record. So, with that in mind, a CDP or a TT is not for another year or two once I have a job.

I'm still in college, so I'm sorta strapped.

So, the question remains: What is next?

Looking at the system, I see 2 things severely lacking:
1. Outboard DAC
2. Power Condition ala AC regenerator and Voltage stabilizer (i.e. PowerPlant Premier by PS Audio)
3. Wire/interconnects

Aside from those two, I'm tube rolling the SLP-98 with some Sylvanias (in the mail on the way to me)...

So, help me out guys...

Thanks!

Joey

[DL86]

Don't worry about about the cables. Cable's will make the least if any improvements to your sound. Power conditioning not so sure it will do anything, from another member on these forums said he spent a lot of money on power conditioning and power cables and this made absolutly ZERO difference to his sound. I would go with the outboard DAC can't beat improvements in technical specifications.

I refuse to be bull****ed by sales men trying to flog $600 for a set of speaker cables or interconnects!! If a speaker cable has the correct technical specification i.e. low inductance, and low resistance aswell as some shielding along the way then that is all that matters.

[PewterTA]

I disagree, I think one of the biggest improvements in my system was changing the wires... I went from a good copper wire to CATcables silvercats and could not imagine the change that happened on my system. For one, I was never a big believer that cables made a difference until I really took the jump...

So I would say if you are using copper interconnects, try out some silver ones (quick plug here) from Catcables, Doug will hook you up with some of the best prices and will make sure you are completely satisfied.

The power conditioning, will make little difference, it will be only slightly noticeable...the outboard DAC, will definitely make a difference and might even be more of a difference than the cables, it just depends on the quality of your current DAC...

You might be surprised to find out that changing out the cables will give you exactly what sound you are looking for...it did for me and many others I've had try a silver cable over copper.

[Ovation]

I don't want to get into a "wire" debate (I'll just say I'm in the sceptic camp and leave it at that) but I think of your list of three things, even if I believed wires could make a notable difference, I'd go with an outboard DAC ahead of the wires.

Just my 2 cents.

[Martyn]

I don't know which DACs the Squeezebox uses, but they are reputed to be quite good so I don't know how much difference an outboard DAC might make. You could have your SB "modified", but I'm generally sceptical about how much difference this kind of thing really makes. Perhaps the biggest increase in performance that you could get would be by bi-amping your speakers...

[twitch54]

Perhaps the biggest increase in performance that you could get would be by bi-amping your speakers...

Not much to gain there since the Summitt's are internally amplified for their bass drivers.

[See-Fu]

How about spent a portion of your money on some nicer wires adn the rest on something else?

[dknightd]

More Music. A bigger hard disk to store more music. A second hard disk to back up the music you have. An external DAC.

[Joey_V]

A DAC it is!

Thanks all!

Joey

PS
Nice to see you too, Dave! :T

[twitch54]

PS
Nice to see you too, Dave! :T

Us "Logan" boys have to keep the world a "Safer place to listen" !!!


Merry Christmas to all !!!!

[Joey_V]

Us "Logan" boys have to keep the world a "Safer place to listen" !!!


Merry Christmas to all !!!!

Yes indeed....

Onward my friend!

Merry Christmas to all as well!!

Joey