09-Aug-2018, 12:58
If you're prioritizing best sound quality to budget, my 2 cents worth is go with the 440 Pro first. The Nucleus is unlikely to offer any sound quality benefits but would make managing Roon a bit easier. Then again, running Roon on my 6 year old Win 10 desktop is a breeze and works perfectly. If the computer has to be in your listening room, an i5 NUC would also work well.
I have no experience with the dCS network bridge + Mutec REF-10, but have to wonder how much more it brings to the party over just using Roon/AIR via ethernet. The days of frustration with using AIR are long gone (as long as you're using Roon AIR and not Devialet AIR). It might be worth giving that a try before investing in the dCS and Mutec.
To my ears (I also started with a 200), the step-up to the Pro was a very nice sonic improvement and well worth the investment.
I have no experience with the dCS network bridge + Mutec REF-10, but have to wonder how much more it brings to the party over just using Roon/AIR via ethernet. The days of frustration with using AIR are long gone (as long as you're using Roon AIR and not Devialet AIR). It might be worth giving that a try before investing in the dCS and Mutec.
To my ears (I also started with a 200), the step-up to the Pro was a very nice sonic improvement and well worth the investment.
Devialet 440 Pro (two 220s)- Oracle CD transport - Kuzma Stabi S/Stogi S turntable - Von Schweikert VR-35 speakers - JPS SC3 SCs - PI Audio power conditioning -
Triode Wire Labs ICs and PCs - Roon on NUC 8i7beh running ROCK
Triode Wire Labs ICs and PCs - Roon on NUC 8i7beh running ROCK
Durham, NC USA