Hi Tom,

Great comment, and you’ve got a helluva system on the other end of your computer.

I tend to gloss over the hardware aspects other than giving the DAC a passing mention. It’s an important piece, but probably far less important than your amp, speakers and headphones. The differences between a $100 DAC vs a $1000 DAC are often not as huge as one might think.

As for cables, that’s not a topic I’m really willing to get into. Someone running a system with components of your calibre might consider spending a little more on cables than the average joe, but that is so far down the list of important pieces in terms of sonic returns that for most people, it isn’t an issue. Monoprice is the friend of the average listener.

My own setup’s pretty modest by comparison. I’m using an older Presonus Firebox audio interface going through a Mackie desktop mixer and a pair of Adam A7Xes on my desktop. My main system is a Cambridge Audio receiver, Reference 3A Episode speakers coming from a Mac Mini with Audio Engine D1 DAC. I notice a pretty significant upgrade in audio quality and spaciousness even on my system.

Oh yeah, I did pick up a pair of HIFIMAN HE4XX headphones from Massdrop recently that might warrant a review.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by! Cheers.

I installed my version of Audirvana Plus 3 on my Mac Mini (audio server), and was blow away by the improvements in sound quality. I already had converted my entire CD-library to best quality AIFF and Apple Lossless-files, in addition to lots of music-files I have downloaded during the years. The Audirvana remote utility was a headache, but according to developer provides a better solution for max output.

In my equipment sits in front (signal path) a Mac Mini (server), Hegel HD25 Dac, Conrad Johnson PV-10 AL preamp and a modifies Quad 405 power amp and in front a pair of electrostatic Sound Lab speakers. With Audirvana Plus installed, I hear a great improvement in stage, musical impression and depth. But would others have the same experience, with a low level equipment?

The role of components in digital audio reproduction has not been a theme in audio forums and reviews, according to my research with Google. Is responsibility for that the developers or the consumers..?

Best Regards Tom

That’s bang-on. I just reripped some albums from my back collection that are just not available anywhere. The ongoing attempts to catalog my father-in-law’s Jazz Collection is hampered by the gaps in the various CD databases. This is stuff you just can’t get anywhere and some of it’s great. But, if all the average listener cares about is listening to what’s popular right now (and not being able to find it again in 5, 10 or 20 years), then streaming is a good option. Thanks for the reply!