Where next for my system?

[Bertie]

In anticipation of my next move at the moment. About to take delivery of a brand new REL S/812 which I stumbled across on sale for £2k. So now I’ve a 440, Focal Sopra 2s and a pair of RELs. My sole source is a Mac Mini running Roon into a Vodafone router which is connected to my Devs via standard RJ45s. 
I’m confused by the chatter relating to cables, fuses, conditioners and the relative merits of using various inputs in preference to others (AES being top dog). I use the Audioquest mains cables supplied with my 220s but am pretty sure if the mains fairies swapped them out for standard fare cables I wouldn’t notice a difference. Apart from room improvements, I’d love to hear folk’s thoughts on where to find the best ROI here on in… external streamer? replacement cables? HQ Player? My next big swap out will be B&W 801s, but I may just die of old age before I can afford that one!

[ada]

The primary objective should be to minimize the number of cables connected to the Devialet units. The Mac Mini should operate with only the essential connections: a power cable, Ethernet, and a single USB output — nothing more.

The next step is to optimize the streaming source. There is inherent translation latency when using ports routed through the CI board, so these should be avoided. The most direct and effective strategy is to feed the Devialet via a single coaxial or XLR connection. In this configuration, the Devialet would require only a power cable, one coax/XLR input, and speaker outputs. If possible, disable both Wi-Fi and Ethernet to reduce potential noise ingress.

To achieve this, the missing element in your system is a high-quality streamer. While the Holo Red Streamer is a strong option, IanCanada offers streamer/DDC solutions that are both more cost-effective and, in some cases, superior in performance. I am currently evaluating these options myself, and you may wish to conduct a similar assessment before making a purchase.

Regarding loudspeaker changes, your current system already delivers full-range coverage. Moving to a B&W setup at this stage would be largely an aesthetic choice, as your existing combination of high/midrange speakers and subwoofers provides excellent performance.

For a truly substantial improvement in sound quality, the next priority should be room acoustics and/or digital room correction, as these will have a more profound and measurable impact than changing speakers in your current configuration.

[audio_engr]

About to take delivery of a brand new REL S/812 which I stumbled across on sale for £2k.
My next big swap out will be B&W 801s, 

Wonderful to learn that you created a pair of RELs. 

B&W 801s ... Matrix 801 / Nautilus 801 / 801D / 801 D4 ?  Which one ?

[Bertie]

About to take delivery of a brand new REL S/812 which I stumbled across on sale for £2k.
My next big swap out will be B&W 801s, 

Wonderful to learn that you created a pair of RELs. 

B&W 801s ... Matrix 801 / Nautilus 801 / 801D / 801 D4 ?  Which one ?

D4s I reckon. Anything less will probably be too slight an upgrade. The Sopras really are very good indeed.

[Bertie]

The primary objective should be to minimize the number of cables connected to the Devialet units. The Mac Mini should operate with only the essential connections: a power cable, Ethernet, and a single USB output — nothing more.

The next step is to optimize the streaming source. There is inherent translation latency when using ports routed through the CI board, so these should be avoided. The most direct and effective strategy is to feed the Devialet via a single coaxial or XLR connection. In this configuration, the Devialet would require only a power cable, one coax/XLR input, and speaker outputs. If possible, disable both Wi-Fi and Ethernet to reduce potential noise ingress.

To achieve this, the missing element in your system is a high-quality streamer. While the Holo Red Streamer is a strong option, IanCanada offers streamer/DDC solutions that are both more cost-effective and, in some cases, superior in performance. I am currently evaluating these options myself, and you may wish to conduct a similar assessment before making a purchase.

Regarding loudspeaker changes, your current system already delivers full-range coverage. Moving to a B&W setup at this stage would be largely an aesthetic choice, as your existing combination of high/midrange speakers and subwoofers provides excellent performance.

For a truly substantial improvement in sound quality, the next priority should be room acoustics and/or digital room correction, as these will have a more profound and measurable impact than changing speakers in your current configuration.

Well, let’s just forget screwing the room over. I spend most of my time in there and I’m not prepared to fill it with oversized toilet rolls and egg boxes; don’t care how good it sounds. The streamer thing does pique my interest though. I tried running a Cambridge Audio NQ into the Devialet’s analogue RCAs before it was sold and wasn’t over enamoured, so chose the Mac Mini / Roon route. Are you suggesting I revisit the streamer option but run it into the Devialet via a digital input and that might improve on the Roon / Mac that connects to the Vodafone router, which, then feeds the Devialet on the same network?

[thumb5]

Don't rule out the digital room correction option too quickly!  I expect that would give you a much more significant improvement in sound quality than buying an external streamer, and for a fraction of the cost.  In fact, it's so (relatively) inexpensive that it's worth trying anyway.

I have found Focus Fidelity Filter Designer to be very easy to use, and it produces great results with only a little effort.  It works very smoothly with Roon.  (I don't have any affiliation with Focus Fidelity other than being a very happy customer.)  If you want to try this out you will also need a calibrated microphone such as the MiniDSP UMIK-1.

[ada]

I agree with thumb5's arguments. After trying many different electronics and cables, the biggest improvements I experienced came from:

1) Dirac Live Room Correction (no change in your room)

2) PSI Audio AVAA C214 active bass traps (two of them won't even be recognized in your room, you can place nice flow pots on top of them)

3) IsoAcoustics feet for the speakers. (they go under the speakers )

In the end, all three directly affected how sound travels in my room. I recently moved, and my first investment was in acoustic treatment. You don't need to invest in big, bulky items—an easy and impactful change can be measured using RT60 (https://www.roomeqwizard.com/help/help_e..._rt60.html). Reducing RT60 to acceptable levels is generally not that difficult and doesn’t require much bulky stuff around the room.

You can start by buying or reusing existing towels. They’re one of the best and cheapest sound treatment materials you can get. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pABvTWSxOes) Place them inside empty cabinets, behind paintings, or behind any wall hangings you already have.

If you have—or want to have—a bookshelf full of books, CDs, or vinyl records, it works as an excellent diffuser and can make a huge difference. For any empty wall spaces, you can hang paintings (with towels behind them) or decorative rugs. These not only look great but also significantly reduce echo in the room.

Everyone recommends it, but many of us ignore it: real improvement doesn’t come from equipment or cables—it comes from placing them properly in the right environment. In the end, our rooms are the true cabinets for our speakers.

[ray1234]

Some upgrade paths I would take if I were you :

1) for Focal speakers, definitely use Isoacoustics feet, big difference
2) streamer upgrade, and possible addition of a clock if the equipment supports
3) network switch and FMC

I would not use an external DAC for Devialet, as the basic design of the amp is digital, having analog output from another DAC will still need to have the analog output converted back to digital eventually. To bring the sound closer to modern DACs, a good streamer and clock input can do that, together with network switch with FMC which preferably be synced to the same clock as the streamer. In digital audio, every component counts.

[Bertie]

Don't rule out the digital room correction option too quickly!  I expect that would give you a much more significant improvement in sound quality than buying an external streamer, and for a fraction of the cost.  In fact, it's so (relatively) inexpensive that it's worth trying anyway.

I have found Focus Fidelity Filter Designer to be very easy to use, and it produces great results with only a little effort.  It works very smoothly with Roon.  (I don't have any affiliation with Focus Fidelity other than being a very happy customer.)  If you want to try this out you will also need a calibrated microphone such as the MiniDSP UMIK-1.

Thanks for that Ian. I’m definitely going to give that one a try!

[markush]

Focus Fidelity Designer is absolutely amazing. Even novices can achieve very good results really easily and quickly. Digital room correction has made a huge step forward over the years and I highly recommend using it in a system.