Princebeef
Novice Member
Advice on upgrade path request: Add a Qutest or replace streamer?
Hi
I'm looking to improve my source. I currently play all my music digitally in flac/wav 16/44 up to 24/192 over wifi:
WXC-50 >
Chord C-line RCA >
Arcam A39 >
Dali Rubicon 2
All my files are stored on MicroSD on my Galaxy S10E, I don't use any streaming services. I'm considering adding a Qutest and bypassing the WXC-50 dac, which would just stream. Would this be a worthwhile route or am I better off changing my source entirely? eg: a CVN V2 or 851N or similar. I've read that the digital out on the Yamaha is limited to 16/44 which would rule it out as a decent DAC source. I've also read that it can output 24/192 digitally, but I can't seem to confirm it either way...anyone know for sure or how I could check?
Am I likely to see the benefit of the Qutest(or other standalone DAC) with WXC-50, or is that overkill for that level of streamer?
I have a budget of around £1000 to upgrade. I'm considering pairing a second hand BS Node2i with a SH Qutest. This would stretch my budget but I'd be willing to if it was a good match for my system. The BS Node2i does have 24/192 digital out, but I would be worried this was more of a sideways step rather than an uprgrade over the Yamaha.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm hoping(probably vainly) that keeping the Yamaha streamer and adding the Chord is a sensible route to upgrade, but want to check that my system is not being throttled by me using my phone in the chain, or the yamaha to get the signal to a possibly new DAC. I enjoy my current setup but feel it is maybe let down from a weak source. I realise my amp isn't the best for detail so do have slightly tempered expectations, but I can't feasibly replace that for a while at least.
I have more questions but thought I'd try and keep it brief for my first message.
Thanks in advance
Rowan
Hi
I'm looking to improve my source. I currently play all my music digitally in flac/wav 16/44 up to 24/192 over wifi:
WXC-50 >
Chord C-line RCA >
Arcam A39 >
Dali Rubicon 2
All my files are stored on MicroSD on my Galaxy S10E, I don't use any streaming services. I'm considering adding a Qutest and bypassing the WXC-50 dac, which would just stream. Would this be a worthwhile route or am I better off changing my source entirely? eg: a CVN V2 or 851N or similar. I've read that the digital out on the Yamaha is limited to 16/44 which would rule it out as a decent DAC source. I've also read that it can output 24/192 digitally, but I can't seem to confirm it either way...anyone know for sure or how I could check?
Am I likely to see the benefit of the Qutest(or other standalone DAC) with WXC-50, or is that overkill for that level of streamer?
I have a budget of around £1000 to upgrade. I'm considering pairing a second hand BS Node2i with a SH Qutest. This would stretch my budget but I'd be willing to if it was a good match for my system. The BS Node2i does have 24/192 digital out, but I would be worried this was more of a sideways step rather than an uprgrade over the Yamaha.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm hoping(probably vainly) that keeping the Yamaha streamer and adding the Chord is a sensible route to upgrade, but want to check that my system is not being throttled by me using my phone in the chain, or the yamaha to get the signal to a possibly new DAC. I enjoy my current setup but feel it is maybe let down from a weak source. I realise my amp isn't the best for detail so do have slightly tempered expectations, but I can't feasibly replace that for a while at least.
I have more questions but thought I'd try and keep it brief for my first message.
Thanks in advance
Rowan