Getting back into audio equipment

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BurtID

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Getting back into audio equipment
« on: Yesterday at 11:05 am »
Hello,

After buying what I thought was my end all/be all stereo setup I'm finding myself with a case of upgraditis and what better place to scratch that itch than with the folks in this group? Currently I'm running a Pass INT-60 into Salk BEat's with a Bluesound Node into a Chord Qutest providing the musical input. 

I look forward to learning more from all you folks!  Thank you in advance.

FullRangeMan

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Re: Getting back into audio equipment
« Reply #1 on: Yesterday at 03:29 pm »
Welcome  :thumb:  Nice system.

Phil A

Re: Getting back into audio equipment
« Reply #2 on: Today at 02:57 am »
Welcome!

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Getting back into audio equipment
« Reply #3 on: Today at 03:23 am »
Welcome.  Nice gear.  I am a Pass Labs fan having owned an X250 for years.

Start with upgrading the DAC.  My son owns the same dac and I bought him a $70  LPS and a pair of Duelund 16g RCA cables for added warmth and it took the dac up a level in sound for sure.

What's you budget and do you do vinyl?

BurtID

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Re: Getting back into audio equipment
« Reply #4 on: Today at 01:49 pm »
Thank you for the welcome!  I need to start by asking a potentially revealing question (revealing that I'm completely out of the loop on audio gear), what is an LPS?  I'm currently running Wireworld cables between the Node to the Chord as well as from the Chord to the Pass (I'll have to look at receipts to see what models) but I'm not opposed to trying something new.

To answer the question of vinyl.....for two reasons I don't do vinyl. The first, and most important, is that I'm streaming my music to appease my wife who put up with me for many years of having CD's cluttering our living room.  When I made the 'concession' of removing my CD player and switching to streaming she not only enjoyed a less cluttered room but also found herself listening to music on her own because it was just so easy to open QoBuz and have so much music available.  It was a big win for both of us.  Am I giving up something by not playing vinyl? Quite possibly I am, but I'm okay with that. 

After trying those Duelund cables I think the next equipment upgrade I'd consider is the streamer. The Node is my first and I know there must be better.  For that piece I'm likely in the $1k - $1.5k range (not opposed to buying used for that piece) but would prefer to spend less if the tradeoff isn't too dramatic. 

FullRangeMan

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Re: Getting back into audio equipment
« Reply #5 on: Today at 03:00 pm »
Thank you for the welcome!  I need to start by asking a potentially revealing question (revealing that I'm completely out of the loop on audio gear), what is an LPS?  I'm currently running Wireworld cables between the Node to the Chord as well as from the Chord to the Pass (I'll have to look at receipts to see what models) but I'm not opposed to trying something new.

To answer the question of vinyl.....for two reasons I don't do vinyl. The first, and most important, is that I'm streaming my music to appease my wife who put up with me for many years of having CD's cluttering our living room.  When I made the 'concession' of removing my CD player and switching to streaming she not only enjoyed a less cluttered room but also found herself listening to music on her own because it was just so easy to open QoBuz and have so much music available.  It was a big win for both of us.  Am I giving up something by not playing vinyl? Quite possibly I am, but I'm okay with that. 

After trying those Duelund cables I think the next equipment upgrade I'd consider is the streamer. The Node is my first and I know there must be better.  For that piece I'm likely in the $1k - $1.5k range (not opposed to buying used for that piece) but would prefer to spend less if the tradeoff isn't too dramatic.
He is referring to the Bluesound Node LPS DAC (Linear Power Supply).

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Getting back into audio equipment
« Reply #6 on: Today at 04:10 pm »
LPS is a Linear Power Supply.  I use one from a company called Teradak which is chinese.  I own 4 of them. They are reliable and decrease noise.  I bought all of mine off of Ali Express.  Specify the 5V as that is what the Chord uses.  I bought the 30 watt model.

ArthurDent

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Re: Getting back into audio equipment
« Reply #7 on: Today at 04:12 pm »
Greetings & Welcome to AC BurtID   :thumb:

BurtID

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Re: Getting back into audio equipment
« Reply #8 on: Today at 06:43 pm »
Thank you for the information on the power supplies. This weekend I'm planning on going online and purchasing them.  One question, should I buy one for the Node and one for the Chord? Thank you in advance!