Next Upgrade- Advice Please

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con7711

Well-known member
Apr 11, 2024
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Hey everyone,

Been here for a while now, and I'm looking for my next logical upgrade for my setup.

Currently I have a set of Q Acoustics Concept 30's and an RSL Speedwoofer 10E, powered by an Exposure 3010 Class A/B amp.
I mainly run a Wiim Pro Plus to stream from Tidal direct and this acts as my DAC as well.

I have a fair bit of room treatment already, and the sound is very good to my ears. However, I'm looking for any weaknesses to address in the setup. Any ideas?

My budget isn't large, as you can see from my setup...lol
 
con7711 said:
Maybe I should have rephrased...I'm looking for better sound for my ears 🙂
Click to expand...
How does a Million Pounds sound?

Ha ha ha, just kidding. 🤣

I assume you want to improve the source, rather than the AMP or the Speakers.
Perhaps a better streamer with a better quality DAC? Such as the Blue Sound Node Icon.
Also having a touch display screen may enhance your user experience?
This might be the direction to go, since the source appears to be the weakest link. If the budget is beyond what you're prepared to pay, consider also the WiiM Ultra Streamer coming at a little over £300.

www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk

Bluesound NODE ICON Hi-Res Wireless Music Streamer

The NODE ICON is a flagship wireless music streamer, designed for the audio obsessed. With its sleek aluminum chassis, and vibrant 5” full-color display, it sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers.
www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk

1745420501229.png
 
Note that the ICON doesn't have a touch-screen as such. It has touch controls on the top and I have used them precisely zero times as you can do everything you'd want to through the app. I also imagine it would be a total fingerprint nightmare up there if you actually used it.

The ICON itself is very good though but if budget is tight I don't think the jump from the Pro Plus makes sense, and I don't think a more-or-less sideways move to the Ultra would feel worthwhile, unless the screen is considered a big bonus (it's pretty small on the Ultra).
 
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RTHerringbone said:
Note that the ICON doesn't have a touch-screen as such. It has touch controls on the top and I have used them precisely zero times as you can do everything you'd want to through the app. I also imagine it would be a total fingerprint nightmare up there if you actually used it.

The ICON itself is very good though but if budget is tight I don't think the jump from the Pro Plus makes sense, and I don't think a more-or-less sideways move to the Ultra would feel worthwhile, unless the screen is considered a big bonus (it's pretty small on the Ultra).
Click to expand...
It doesn't? Thanks 🙂
 
Jasonovich said:
It doesn't? Thanks 🙂
Click to expand...
Nope, there are a few touch buttons on top for volume and playback controls but I don't see the point and as mine is between shelves in a rack, you can't see them anyway so they're pointless in my setup.

One cool thing though is that those "buttons" only light up when your hand is near. They have some sort of proximity detector 😎
 
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RTHerringbone said:
Note that the ICON doesn't have a touch-screen as such. It has touch controls on the top and I have used them precisely zero times as you can do everything you'd want to through the app. I also imagine it would be a total fingerprint nightmare up there if you actually used it.

The ICON itself is very good though but if budget is tight I don't think the jump from the Pro Plus makes sense, and I don't think a more-or-less sideways move to the Ultra would feel worthwhile, unless the screen is considered a big bonus (it's pretty small on the Ultra).
Click to expand...
That makes sense. The node is a bit over my budget, but not out of the realm of possibility. What are your thoughts about how big an upgrade this is over the wiim pro plus or ultra for sound (DAC) I assume.
 
con7711 said:
That makes sense. The node is a bit over my budget, but not out of the realm of possibility. What are your thoughts about how big an upgrade this is over the wiim pro plus or ultra for sound (DAC) I assume.
Click to expand...
The core of what you've got is perfectly good and there's definitely a law of diminishing returns with Hi-Fi.

I can't really answer the DAC question as (for example) I had a WiiM Mini plugged via optical into an ARCAM A25 which bypassed the WiiM DAC to use the one in the amp. For the ICON I use its onboard DAC (via RCAs) and all I can conclude is that "some part" of those differing setups makes me prefer the ICON. Is it the DACs? Is it the different dual-mono configuration of the ICON? No clue as there are just too many variables there.

With digital stuff I'm a bit sceptical about the true incremental value and have come to personally be more interested in the amp and speakers. Your digital solution is fine as your digital source (TIDAL) is great and the DAC in the Pro Plus is perfectly capable. From a sound point of view, I'd just ask yourself "What do I think I'm missing?" - do you want more bass, is it sounding a bit bright, does it feel a bit like the sound stage could be wider etc.?
 
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