Incremental System Upgrade

[Amadave]

I am looking at upgrading my current system and will need to upgrade in phases. I am interested in getting feedback in the best order to proceed. Retirement is approaching quickly and I want to proceed in a prudent manner.

My current system:

Amp - McIntosh MC452
Preamp - McIntosh C50
DAC - Ayre QX-5 Twenty
Music Server - Aurender N100H
Turntable - Rega RP10 w/Apheta cartridge
Phono Preamp - Rega Aria
Speakers - Rockport Atria
Speaker Cable - Nordost Heimdall 2
Interconnects - Cardas Clear Light
Digital - Cardas Clear Light
USB - Cardas Clear
Ethernet - AudioQuest Vodka
Power - Shunyata Venom PS8/HC Power Cord/Defender

The upgrades under consideration:

Sources
Speaker Cable
Power Cables
Amplification

I consider my foundation pieces to be the turntable, speakers and DAC. I am not looking to upgrade these pieces, although I am looking to upgrade the phono preamp and cartridge.

Today, my predominant listening is done via streaming, but still utilize the turntable from time to time.

Here are the upgrades under consideration.

Sources:

Music Server - Aurender N10 w/Audioquest Diamond SPDIF
Phono Preamp - Sutherland Duo
Phono Cartridge - Koetsu Rosewood Series (undecided on standard, signature or signature platinum)

Power Cables:

Power Distribution/Amp - Audioquest Hurricane
Preamp/Sources - Audioquest Silver Cloud or Silver Cloud Extreme
Music Server - Cardas Clear

General:

Speaker Cable - Audioquest William Tell Zero

Amplification:

Option 1 - Upgrade preamp only to CH Precision L1
Option 2 - Upgrade amp/preamp to Ayre VX5-Twenty/KX5-Twenty

Looking for some advice on the sequencing of the upgrades as well as any personal experience with any of the upgrade items under consideration.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Antonmb]

If it were me, I’d probably start with power and upgrade the PS8 to a Shunyata Denali v2 or Everest, then look at power cables. If you listen to mostly digital, then the Aurender would be next up after power.

[Higgens]

Since you mentioned that streaming is your primary source, I would recommend the Aurender N10 or the new N20 as your first upgrade. The N10 is is a big step up from the N100H and I imagine the N20 would be even better. Good luck.

[jmw31]

Agree with the recommendation on upgrading to the N10. Very happy with mine. Worth noting there is one that came up for sale today from a member.

[damacman]

Aside from the source upgrades you've outlined, I see no juice worth the squeeze...

[Antonmb]

And by coincidence, an N10 just popped up in the marketplace.

[dixon007]

Shunyata Denali v2 w/Alpha v2 XC
Aurender N10 w/AES outs into DAC
Consider UpTone EtherREGEN for Ethernet.
Consider Shunyata Ethernet cable
PCs Shunyata Alpha v2 NC on Amp
and Pre-Amp.
Consider Stillpoint Ultras on them

[Amadave]

Originally Posted by jmw31

Agree with the recommendation on upgrading to the N10. Very happy with mine. Worth noting there is one that came up for sale today from a member.

Can I ask what cable you are using on the SPDIF connection? My understanding is you need to use this connection to take advantage on the internal clock.

[Amadave]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

And by coincidence, an N10 just popped up in the marketplace.

Thanks for the heads up on the availability.

[PierreB]

You can also look at the Modwright PH 9.0. It’s a tube phono preamp built in USA and about the same price of the Sutherland Duo.