Hello,


I have an Allan Heath ZED 14 mixing console into a Lavry Blue 4496 converter.
Because I was, and still am, on a budget, I have to make choices. Back then I was convinced (and still am) I should buy a good as possible A/D D/A converter first. With a budget mixer I should be able to get good sound in and out of my DAW with a good converter. (I use a budget Samson patchbay for my outboard gear.)

I am now in the position to buy some serious outboard gear (Elysia, maybe Api) but was wandering how much my budget ZED14 is interfering with my audio path.
I have the opportunity to buy an used SSL SIX for half the price (don't need much channels) but was wandering if it makes a difference worthwhile to spend $$$ to change the ZED14 for the SSL SIX. And or maybe upgrade my patchbay. I wander if it will make a big enough difference in audio quality to replace them or that it is better to invest in some serious outboard gear first. (I already have a good pre amp btw, to record into the ZED14).

I also wander why people buy $2000,- monitoring systems. If money is not much of an issue and you need it for the studio, I get it. But for someone who can afford it if needed but is still on a budget, is a Drawmer cmc2 good enough? Or does it make a big difference to listen through a high end monitoring system?
I wander if the quality in audio signal differs that much that I should seriously consider, changing my budget console, monitor controller and or patchbay, first, before diving into high end outboard gear.

Kind regards,
Tom