Tweakin' again...nice improvement.
Run a file based audio setup as well as a vinyl rig, have spent a bit of time 'n effort getting the cables and the like sorted to make the most of what I have.
Something else which is important is power supply, and I've removed all switch mode PSUs from my system and run the whole thing from a balanced mains unit.
Skip to yesterday...
Having a rummage in my spares box and found one of the Maplins Linear PSU's Stan Beresford had recommended for powering his dacs.
Thought to myself, shame its not getting used.
Thinking of offering it up here on AOS for postage but then I thought of a use for it.
Virgin Superhub: It lies at the centre of the whole network, basically powering the whole file based audio setup.
And it was still using the crappy Chinese switchmode supply that came with it...boom, will replace it with the Maplins linear.
So adjusted it down to 12V, rewired it internally with decent mains cable and a DC lead and plugged it in.
Yup, obvious immediate and noticeable improvement.
Who'da thunk it.
After an hour or so put the switcher back in and the sound quality took a dip.
So file based audio folks...its worth replacing the crappy switchers in your Routers and NAS's.
Any noise removed off the power feed is a good thing, so give it a go.
AC POWER
Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
AMPS
Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
SPEAKERS
Wharfedale Evo 4.4
DAC
PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
TURNTABLE
Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
PHONOSTAGE
Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
DIGITAL
OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
MUSIC PLAYBACK
Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
Ipad Roon Remote.
Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
SPEAKER CABLES
Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
INTERCONNECTS
All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables