I perceived the upgraded power supply (Keces P8) improved the sound of hi res audio but didn't do much for FLACC CD or streaming CD.  But the big improvement streaming CD quality (44.1 kHz 16 bit) was had by adding a network switch between the music server and my router.  I also added a 5 Volt Linear power supply to replace the wall wart on the network switch.  That might be over the top but with this hobby where do you draw the line?  The power supply upgrades took CD quality streaming from borderline acceptable to sounding very close to playing CD FLACC files on the SSD.  The SSD still has the edge with better, clearer bass and imaging- a small edge.

Thanks for the information about coherentsourceservice.  That is good to know should I ever need to service my Thiel speakers.  I was wondering what I would do should they ever need a repair.  Fortunately for me, I bought them as new demos and they have given me great service.

He had some huge ones (NOS) there for sale - wood and concrete - they weigh a ton!

How you like Pass with AR ?

Like your DIY rack too ,good job 👍

I have had my Zephyr for a couple of months now.  It tracks so well and sounds fantastic.  I marvel at how perfectly the stylus is set into the cantilever.  Great workmanship.

The overall sound of my system now is excellent to me.  I have been like a kid on Christmas morning everyday for the last couple of weeks.  I can't wait to put on the first CD of the day and be stunned by the sound and clarity.  It's a good thing I waited until I was retired to do all this.  I cannot get anything else done right now.

On the analog side I added the Purist Audio Genesis Phono cable.  For years, decades actually I used the basic phono cable that came with my SME arm.  It sounded decent enough but I always wanted to try a better phono cable.  The Genesis cable came to me already burned or broken in.  The seller put it on a cable cooker for 3 days.  They said it is nearly impossible for a phono cartridge to break in a cable due to the low signal levels.  Ok.  This new phono cable improved the sound with an overall smoothness, and it adds more resolution and detail by lowering the noise floor.  There is good and bad with this.  The good is that I hear more detail in the music.  The bad is that the ticks and pops in the grooves are more apparent.  Quiet records are still nice and quiet but some of my 70s records have a bit of groove noise.  Before, the groove noise usually disappeared once the music started.  Now, due to the lower noise level in the system I can hear the groove ticks in the music.  An interesting side affect of lowering system noise but I have been playing vinyl since the 70s so I have learned to tune out the little ticks.  The other side affect is that pre echo is now more apparent.  I hear it more frequently and more clearly now.  Pre echo is what I call master tape print through.  It's hearing a loud passage that is about to play moments before it actually starts.  But despite these couple of side affects I still much prefer the sound of this new phono cable.

Coming next is a network bridge.  When I started this venture to upgrade the digital front end my goals were twofold.  I wanted to still spin discs with improved sound and to be able to play Hi Res audio files.  Streaming is a side curiosity for me at this point but the Network Bridge will allow me to do both.  

Nice Thiel's.  Bought sound great with Pass Labs.

I have CS2's in the same finish.  Bought new in '88 for $1,650.  I still love them.  Enjoy!!