I usually listen to music that I like (at the best possible quality), which unfortunately is not available in DSD256. Unlike vinyl. Maybe in the future, but right now I don’t have time to force myself to prefer sound quality vs the satisfaction of the music that I am passionate about. Life is too short!
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Well said!
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Last night I was listening to a stream of a ripped CD via Roon and the MU2. For giggles I switched to the CD in my Ethos. There was absolutely no question the CD sounds much better than the ripped files from the CD. I was very sad. I will do my best to forget this.
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Perhaps your Ethos is on a different level in quality than your MU2.
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I’ve often thought where worth to put much effort (and money) in my system. I wanted to upgrade my analog rig, but I rarely spin records lately. A better transport (the Ethos is really one of my dreams), but I rarely play CDs lately.
So the logical conclusion, I said to myself “focus on stuff you are using more”. Gear, cables, tweaks… I’m considering for future upgrades must be related to that part of the chain I’m using more frequently. All the rest can wait.
I have to remember this, it seems like a sensible idea!
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There’s nothing sensible about our hobby, and I love this hobby, lol
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It’s usually 50/50 between digital and vinyl for me, but it has shifted more towards vinyl after my latest acquisation of the HRS platform. I cannot stop playing and rediscovering old recordings that just miraculously came to life ever since. My involvement now with vinyl is just off the charts! Yes, it’s that good!
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No Ethos for me either. I will follow your “sensible idea”, I will keep the PST/MK2 for SACDs and put all my CDs in a dark place since they were all ripped. I will pour concrete in all rabbit holes so I cannot dig into them anymore, soon 
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Very sensible. I’ve concluded I listen less often than most on this forum and must admit it is often to compare component and cable differences in deference to the music.
This has led to a strategy of a simpler system with less emphasis on the in-between stuff, like footers and fuses, with a focus on the big stuff, like the gear and the hook-ups.
You might call this “lazy” as you say, or maybe it’s better time management. The little stuff does make a difference (like higher sample rates) but, the game changers for me have been in the immediate realization that with a certain new toy, everything is better, no analysis necessary.
BHK 600’s, FR30’s, Sakras, and now the PowerZone have taken me there. Simple, efficient, just add money, a bunch of it.
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It makes perfectly sense!
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I could be wrong, but I think Luca and I might be saying is with SACD ripping to the MU2 drive, you might have less use, if any, for the MK2, and enjoy better DAC performance. An upgraded AES cable like the Octava T on the PST could solidify that choice.
Last rant, we have different systems and libraries. You will love the PZ, then off to better amps! I’m doing my last Pusher Man (Al) impression.
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One needs to draw the line somewhere. Generally speaking I prefer immersion in the performance to tweaking. YMMV.
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Ditto. But, greater immersion can be had with better gear. Balance is the key.
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As of now I have too many SACDs to spend time on ripping and ripping them is not as straight forward as CDs. In fact, I re-downloaded SACD Extract software and Autoscript for USB too, then I purchased a 2nd Sony old BlueRay. I have a brand-new PC too. None of them worked on ripping SACD; there is something in my network that prevented me from doing it.
I am fine keeping PST/MK2 to play SACD, and it is not like file playing is much superior either. Eventually I will upgrade amps; ideally a next generation of M amps from PSA 
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I need to start ripping SACD, and have ZERO experience.
Good thing I only have a small number of SACD’s
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Good luck! I was successful in ripping first 10 out of 400+, then no luck aftward. 
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For the most part I am there. I should add, at multiple locations.
Not all SACDs are rippable. There where some, like from Diana Krall that must have some code in it to prevent ripping. I did most of my library including all the single sided ones and when I had the Aurender N10, the diferences are very subtle, but with the Esoteric, the differences are quite noticeable.
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Two nights ago I got the new Optimal Room Correction update for my BACCH-SP adio. It is another big leap for my system, which has been doing a lot of big leaps. Last night I set the Apex on Max and did the CD to Streaming challenge. It was not subtle. Everything set to max it was really obvious. Prior to the ORC upgrade it was more subtle.
Last night seemed a little like too much of a good thing. It was odd.
Currently my MU2 and Ethos are using stock fuses. I have M1s sitting safely in their boxes on my desk. I am getting a little discombobulated over these changes. So the fuses are going to sit.
I may put the P20 back in and take a break from all this. Or play more vinyl. I asked George to look in his shop for any V17 Sakras he has around. Of course he found some. Last weeks stock market sinks came at either a good or a bad time. I already think I have more Sakras than anyone but George. Sigh.
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My Sakra 17 was all set to come to our home, then the PZ “Buy Group” showed up. I’m a sucker for any deal, even a tiny one from this thing. Now the chance of Sakra showing up in my system is slim by the time I am thinking about it again. Last I heard there were only three left in this world, and I need another year to recover from my expected expenses on non-audio stuff. 
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