So, I think I’m settling on what I’m going to swap out etc, feedback VERY much appreciated
current setup:
RoonRock/dedicated netgear smart switch/sms200/Dac-v1/nap180/es14s
same up to sms200/X-SPDIF2/nDAC/82/180/es14s (add a hicap in 6 months or so as have gone over budget)
works out at about £1700 with trade ins etc(have allowed 100 for a spdif cable, suggestions?)
Any comments very much appreciated!!
Cheers
John
That looks like a great system to me. Go for it and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. I agree that a Hicap would be a very worthwhile addition.
If you want to take things further, there are plenty of options, such as a PSU for the NDAC, or a 250, or possibly an improved digital transport, but that’s where things all start to get quite a lot more expensive.
I would still argue that you are missing a big part of the equation by not getting a good power supply for the SMS-200. Not as sexy as Naim black box upgrades, I know, but could be a choke point for whatever you put after it.
Good to see another es14 user changing the boxes rather than the Epos’s. I know there are better out there, but am really happy with mine and frequently amazed how great that can sound. Good luck with your upgrade journey. 
Hi @charlesphoto, definitely will address that too, was thinking of the iFi iPower x or something in the sub£200 area. Any recommendations from anyone?
Revisit your original option 1 - upgrade the NAP180 to NAP200 or NAP250. 
Dave
PS a better PSU for the SoTM sMS200 may also be beneficial.
Hi Dave,
Have abandoned the 272 idea and decided on nDAC and olive 82, will get the 250 slightly further along.
Also upgrading the supply for the sms200, just dont know what yet, any thoughts?
Cheers
John
ifi iPower, MCRU, SBooster, Uptone Ultracap - you pay your money and you make your choice.
Some people claim each incremental change in power supply quality (more expensive!) makes an appreciable audible difference but that’s not my experience. As in all things audio it’s the law of diminishing returns.
Dave
You really don’t want to go there do you? Not much available except for Chinese builds and the iFi for that much. I can’t speak for the SMS because I’ve never owned one, but do a microRendu and and a pair of opticalModule fiber media convertors, and you’d be amazed how much of a difference good power makes on these. Just think of it as taking the boards out of a Naim streamer and putting them in small box. Would you then want to power the Naim boards via a wall wart, or a big toroidal transformer and good regulators etc? You’d be surprised how much more you can eke out of a V1 with a good streaming network behind it (I’d switch out that Netgear while you’re at it).
I’m in the US, but for you I’d look at the Paul Hynes Sr4, see what MCRU have on offer, Teddy Pardo, Farad, the new kid on the block, lots of options.
@charlesphoto, thanks for the info, have ordered a MCRU for the sms200. Any suggestions on a better switch? I see cisco 2960 comes up a lot but there are so many models? @Simon-in-Suffolk, I see you have a lot of knowledge in this area, any guidance for a small 5 port switch?
Regards
John
have ordered the MCRU, cheers
john
A little Netgear unmanaged switch should be fine - unless you want to tweak SQ, then there is a huge range of options. Many have found Catalyst 2960 switches from Cisco beneficial which you can buy used quite cheaply and can actually condition the LAN segment to the streamer. There are also the ‘Audiophile’ switches which some also enjoy and although these are standard unmanaged capability switches they incorporate upgraded digital clocks etc such as from the likes of English Electric and Russ Andrews.
Thanks Simon
Great. That should at least give you a better baseline for where to go with the rest of the front end.
I wish there was a pin on here with all of the 2960 models. Best thing to know is G is a designation for all of the poorest to be gigabyte, if you need that sort of thing. Usually twice the price on the used market. The 2960-8TC-L is the basic and usually found for a song used. I thought it better than the Netgear I used (w linear power supply). The audiophile switches I have no experience with and am using a pair of audiophile fiber media convertors (FMC’s) instead that I’m very happy with.
The letters tell you the spec of the switch once you know what they stand for:
The model numbers and letters tell you the main characteristics of the product details but not the full capability specification.
You need to check the software version for that. (IOS version) combined with the Product Detail name.
The recommended IOS versions for the Catalyst 2960s are in the table below … unfortunately I don’t think many on this forum address this and consequently their switch may be running below par.
This table lists the key product types.
Here is a table comparing some of the model types
I am sure for most on this forum, most of the specification details are not important other than perhaps silent operation. I would suggest 8 port 2960-L models would usually be ideal.
FWIW have you read some of the DAC-V1 online reviews, particularily What HiFi, HiFi Choice and HiFi Critic. It’s capability shouldn’t be underestimated.
Dave
Note: but I’m biased of course. 
Thanks for your continued interest in my dilema Dave! Interesting reading indeed, i fact i did read a lot about it when i initially bought it, a good reminder. The exploration into power supplies has started to drive up the budget which was already blown doing the 82/DAC+ spdif converter. Ideally i just wanted to make a smallish change for the biggest return(dont we all) and it has got a bit out if control! Ive gone from 3 boxes to 5, more power supplies and more interconnects! I’m reminded by your latest comment that perhaps i should keep it simple! Such is life!
Cheers
John
I agree with S-in-S “A little Netgear unmanaged switch should be fine” unless you want to go down another rabbit hole.
The improved PSU for the SoTM sMS200 should bring benefits.
Whether the nDAC and olive 82 combination will improve on the DAC-V1 compared to a PA upgrade I wouldn’t know.
Goodluck
Dave
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