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Hi everyone, I would like to get your opinion on my system and how to upgrade. I currently have the following setup: Source: Macbook Pro Retina, 2012 Software: Audirvana Plus and Spotify USB-output: 1x Audioquest Jitterbug USB cable: *standard* Bluetooth: Arcam Miniblink receiver Integrated Amplifier: Rotel-RA 1570 > site: RA-1570 | Rotel Speaker cable: *standard* Speakers: Bowers & Wilkins CM1 S2 > site: Experience the B&W CM1 S2 - Bowers & Wilkins | B&W Speakers I have 2 questions: • 1: I would like to upgrade to an external DAC, and I am currently looking at Chord and Schiit. However, listening to videos online, I prefer the sound of Chord more. I am specifically looking at Chord Mojo or Hugo for main setup, and to have mobility on-the-go. Does a Chord Mojo will sound better than the DAC within my current integrated amplifier? It's a: Wolfson WM8740 • 2: Any suggestions for an upgrade in speaker cables? I have been looking at Chord and Van Den Hul so far, because I heard and read they might go well with b&w and rotel. Specifically: Chord Odyssey 2, Chord Epic Twin, Van den Hul CS122. Thanks! p.s. I might add a Curious USB Cable Mojo interlink as well.

I am planning to again start using my B&W DM603 S3s (old, I know, but I have always enjoyed them). My Rotel finally bit the dust after many years of service. I am starting to do my own research, but thought I would see if anyone has a suggestion for a capable, but good-value-for-money amp to use with these speakers. I really don't know anything about amps/receivers. Here are the specs from an old Stereophile review B&W DM603 S3 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com: Description: "2½"-way vented-box loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" (25mm) aluminum-dome tweeter, 6.5" (165mm) woven-Kevlar cone bass/midrange, 6.5" (165mm) aluminum-cone woofer. Crossover frequencies: 150Hz, 4kHz. Frequency response: 44Hz–22kHz, ±3dB on reference axis. Frequency range: –6dB at 34Hz and 42kHz. Dispersion within 2dB of response on reference axis: over 40° arc horizontal, over 10° arc vertical. Sensitivity: 90dB/2.83V/m. Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum. Power handling: 25–150W into 8 ohms on unclipped program. Harmonic distortion: second and third harmonics, <1%, 55Hz–20kHz (90dB SPL, 1m). Maximum recommended cable impedance: 0.1 ohm. Thanks!

I bought the P5 Series 2 at the Apple Store - it was one of the safest buys I've made, since the B&W quality and decent sound are always a safe bet, even at the premium price. It might not actually sound as good as the original P5 (don't know), but I haven't had the original for more than a year now, so I can't compare them directly. I can say that this P5 looks and feels great, fits well, is secure on my head, is comfortable, sounds OK, and I'm not disappointed. B&W P5 Series 2 On-ear Stereo Headphone review

Here is the review of my second P7 - the first one was traded off in 2013, which I regret. Still, this was an opportunity to see if the current production of this headphone changed in any respect, and also to apply my Audioforge experience to find any major variances from neutral in the sound signature. I found three: A moderate recess in the low-mid midrange around 350 hz, another modest recess in the low-mid treble from ~3 to 6 khz, and a peak around 9 khz. None of these anomalies would require me to use EQ to have a satisfactory listening experience, and that's something I can say about very few headphones (Audeze LCD2, MrSpeakers Mad Dog, and possibly the Bose QC25). Highly recommended, even at the $400 USD price I paid. Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) P7 Stereo Headphone review (new)

I signed up for this forum to follow Audirvana tweaks and after lots of tweaking ended up also changing my speakers. I had B&W CM2 (stereo pair) to the B&2 CM5S2. My Audirvana tweaks were at the other end of the scale from most people and I was running out of tricks to approach the sound I wanted. Basically, my system was too bright. I've noted enough of the characteristics of gear I've introduced over the years to know it must be the speakers. I hesitated between a few speakers, including the CM6S2, but the 5's won. While the 6's have showroom pizzaz, I figured they'd get fatiguing at home. I went for the iterative upgrade. Turns out, I'm extremely happy with the 5's: HUGE amounts of detail, neutral. WOW!! It's like I've just been given the key to a huge playground (of Audirvana tweaks) and I can hear instruments and voices thrumming when they should, tune a deeper bass, pull the speakers further from the wall than the old pair for more depth. B&W has done some awesome things with the tweeters and though the Mundorf EVO silver/gold capacitor is from the EVO not the Supreme range because it's silvergold oil it REALLY does a nice job. Better than the original CM5's (which I'd auditioned a while back). The speakers do need to be burned in to sound their best. Just sharing because I had the hardest time finding reviews of these speakers to flesh out what I'd heard during in-store auditions. My new Audirvana Izotope SRC settings (still need minor tweaking) are now: Steepness 88 (was 8 when I had the CM2's) Filter 1,800,000 Cutoff ,95 (was much lower with CM2's) Pre-ringing .37 Special thanks to Ikkei for sharing his Izotope thoughts here on computeraudiophile and NagysAudio over on avsforum for sharing his love of the CM5S2's.