Mistake №1: Cheating Your Source
Your source matters more than you think. Whether it’s vinyl or digital, the source is arguably the most critical link in the audio chain—second only to the recording itself. Think of it like a literal chain: a weak link compromises the entire system, no matter how strong the other links are.
No component that follows the source can improve what it delivers. Every part of your system—amplifiers, speakers, cables—can only work with the quality handed to them by the source.
This is especially true for digital audio components like streamers and DACs. Many believe a “decent” or “budget-friendly” digital component will suffice, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Significant audible benefits can be gained by using a digital component that matches or exceeds the quality of the rest of your audio system. The reality is that the quality of your digital source can dramatically impact the overall performance of your system—far more than incremental improvements elsewhere.
