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Advice from members

I have just started putting my first system together and have been enjoying it for about 6 months or so and am starting to research what I should upgrade in the current system next. I am looking to improve both clarity and soundstage. This is what I am currently running, the biggest and most noticable difference to date has come with the introduction of room correction via the Dspeaker Dual Core. Here is the current setup. I am debating on simplifying by going to a all in one solution like a Anthem STR integrated OR introducing a higher quality DAC into the current system:
  • Source: Innuos Music Server (MINI MK2) running Roon server and being used as a player
  • DAC/Preamp/Room Correction - Antimode Dual Core. - To leverage the best input on the dual core I am using a Musical Fidelity VLINK USB to SPDIF (24/96) converter
  • AMP - Using a Jolida 1501P Hybrid AMP
  • Speakers - ELAC Unifi UF5 Floor Standing with a ORB Audio 200 watt Sub that is corrected via the Dual Core.
I am wondering what the weakest link the chain is and the one I should look at upgrading next.
Many thanks in advance, looking forward to everyones feedback.
palakapatel

Showing 5 responses by willemj

willemj
1,036 posts
 
Sorry I cannot correct the typo anymore: 'convert' rather than 'cover'.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
I don’t understand why you decided to cover the usb output from the streamer to optical, when the Dual Core has a usb input. I would get rid of it, and just connect via usb. USB is a very good digital connection, and measurably better than optical (and don't waste money on the scam of fancy digital interconnects). Did you ask DSpeaker in Finland? You can just give them a call and you get to talk to one of the engineers.
Personally I am not a fan of tube amplifiers, but the biggest sound quality improvement usually comes from better speakers. In your case, that is where I would go first, apart from selling that usb to optical converter.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
Room equalization is great for frequencies below the Schroeder frequency. Above that, it will be pretty ineffective, and you will need damping materials (carpets, bookcases etc). In your case, the Dual Core is connected to the subwoofer (I assume), and will not, of course, equalize the main speakers that will stil be generating room modes between, say, 50-150 Hz. If you want to adres those as wel you wqil nee dhe new DSpeaker X4 DAC/preamp/room eq. Unfortunately it is rather more expensive.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
So you use the main speakers and the sub as one in your correction? I am not sure correcting all the way up to 500 Hz wil help much. Correction becomes increasingly localized to an ever smaller listening position, the higher the frequency.
Whatever, I agree that the DSpeaker room eq units are great (I love my 8033). But as I wrote earlier, I think if you really want significantly better sound, you will have to consider better speakers (and possibly more damping of higher frequencies, depending on current home decor). What do you not like about the current sound quality?
willemj
1,036 posts
 
It is not so easy to decide if you really have a problem. Go to a live concert of classical music and you will discover that music is not always so clear, and can even sound harsh. Did you measure the frequency response at higher frequencies (your Dual Core can do that)?
Without further information my provisional diagnosis is that the biggest improvement can be had from buying some really nice speakers in a rather different price bracket. Harbeth speakers, for example, excell with their clarity and non fatiguing sound.
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