Having problems with Audiogon site, its not allowing me to edit the system. Now using a Microzotl2 as pre and have the Musical Surroundings II+ for phono preamp. Huge difference in LP playback, digital has taken a back seat and Discogs become my new web site passion
System edited: Have been looking for a better renderer to replace the Oppo without breaking the bank and DAC's now appear headed to USB input to support DSD. So the SoTM SMS-100 added a nice improvement over the Oppo and ready to move on to DAC like the Mytek or better... love the Octave but it doesn't do DSD.
I use Jriver as DLNA media controller with locally attached SATA media drive. This is connected via GigE Switch to the Oppo 103 as DLNA Digital Media Renderer. This does disable WiFi on the Oppo when you choose hardwire for Ethernet connection but the wire connection is absolutely necessary for audiophile level performance. While I would like to use a NAS I have not found it to perform as well as direct SATA attached drive. The Oppo does require you to enable network media services in its network screen.
System edited: the PV10A is back in... it may roll off in the highs but the midrange with the Analysis Plus cables makes it a no contest against the too lean pre section of the Prima Luna integrated
System edited: I've dropped asynch USB to SPDIF in favor of DLNA using the PC as a DLNA controller and the Oppo as a DLNA renderer feeding the Metrum Octave. No more listening fatigue and sandpaper in the vocals.
I'm back to 12AT7's in the front sockets...the 12AU7's in repeated listening just fall short in dynamic range and hard transients. I am loving the latest configuration with triple mica Siemens 12AT7s replacing Mullard 6201's in front and Telefunken 12AU7's behind...its worth it investing in better NOS tubes with this amp.
System edited: Have finally retired the CJ PV10A after upgrading the Prima Luna tube complement. Now using Telefunken 12AU7's in front sockets Siemens E81CC/12AU7 in back sockets With this combo I have no detectible tube distortion and the CJ while richest in sound has a fuzziness compared to the PL pre section.
PV10A is back in the chain, and I have moved away from the NOS Mullards, The detail and low bass clarity from the PV10A outshines the PL pre section as tubed below.
Current tube configuration.
Ei12AX7's replacing the Mullard NOS 12AU7's in the PV10A
Siemens 12AU7s in the back sockets of the Prima Luna Amperex 12AT7's in the front sockets instead of 12AU7's
This is a much livelier, full sound with crisp transients on percussion, strings. Did much tube rolling to reach this, all 12AU7's used in the front sockets of the PL caused dynamic compression. 12AX7s were too much gain with unpredictable distortion. Tried some Mullard CV4024s but they rolled off the high transients.
System edited: more changes... finally retiring the PV10A... the Prima Luna pre section and the updated CJ run neck and neck but a remote and less complexity in the signal path wins out for the Prima Luna. Can't say enough about the JK Mk III... its makes a HUGE difference comapred to the Vlink 96khz usb converter.
System edited: Replaced the Audioquest Forest USB cable with the Pangea PCOCC USB cable. substantial difference in bass improvement and elimination of low volume sound smearing
System edited: The Adcom Dac was limited to 20 bit/48Khz... detailed as heck but massed voices were muddy. The PS Audio DAC is a good all around step forward and has given new life to my Genki
For the DAC I'd go with one of the Wyred 4 Sound models. I owned the DAC-2 and it is excellent.
That said, you can buy a Musical Fidelity V-Link USB to S/PDIF adapter for $119 on sale on Audio Advisor and Amazon last time I looked. I was using one to play hi-res (24/96) files off my laptop (to the big rig) the other day and it sounded incredible. From memory, I believe the W4S DAC-2 sounded at least as good and it is rated up to 24/192.
As an amp suggestion, I bought a C-J LP66S and it's awesome. So much depth and realism to music. As a DAC suggestion, the CIAudio VDA2 & VAC1 have also been great. I bought the amp as a dealer demo & the DAC used here on A-gon. Of course they sound great here at my place, but they could work for you. The rest of your system looks great. G'day!
