Tír Na HiFi

I’m listening right now to a WiiM Ultra streamer, Tidal, through a LFT PAO power amp (ancient) and Harbeth P3Esr’s and thinking that this is actually as good as setups I’ve been through that cost multiples of this one that I’ve had over the years.

I still play my LP’s through my 300B integrated and various other experimental speakers, keep going back to the Dubhs ( thanks Fran) and a small subwoofer for the bliss moments but was just thinking how good this very moderately priced stuff has come on in the last couple of years.

Anybody else contemplating the real value of €€€ digital front end upgrading versus the onslaught of budget overachievers?
Or am I just turning into a grumpy and stingy oul fella ? 🎶

We're all turning grumpy and stingy!!

I'm still amazed at how often I use bluetooth streaming - its probably the dominant proportion of my listening. My other rule of thumb is that good sound is good sound - the age of the amp etc is almost irrelevant. Sit back and enjoy is the main thing.

My office setup is Fosi ZA3 amp, Schiit Modius DAC, Sound Artists LS3/5, Rel tZero sub, so fairly entry level stuff mostly purchased second hand, more than 10-20x less money than my main setup. Latest addition was cheap small Fosi amp (100€), i just rolled new op-amps (~30€), and that amp is giant killer i think - for near field listening i don't don't feel the need for upgrades any more! Its amazing what you can get these days, specially if you're willing to wait a bit for second hand market.

Also, added Wiim Mini to main setup as 2nd streamer just for Tidal Connect, and to be honest i don't hear difference from my upgraded Pi2AES streamer with LPSU. Its enough for 99% systems, don't know how crazy gear/room you need to have for Wiim to be a bottleneck!

Gerry D wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2025 9:05 pm Anybody else contemplating the real value of €€€ digital front end upgrading versus the onslaught of budget overachievers?
Or am I just turning into a grumpy and stingy oul fella ? 🎶

No, but it's nice to think there's some body out there grumpier than me! ;)

DACs etc are fine for causualy listening, while I'm doing something else, but for serious listening it's going to be vinyl.

After changing my speakers I think I need to upgrade my amplifier and probably my streamer followed on by my speaker cables.

It's going to be a big chunk of change. I will take a big hit on my amplifier and I will spend a fair bit on the amplifier.

Do I need it? No. It's like a carousel I'm not sure if I want to get on and just be happy with what I have.