Can a DAC sort out a flat\cold amp?

OP, thanks for your reply. Honestly, If you are going to move in six months… I would not make any additional purchases. I would wait.

If you were going to remain there I would recommend downsizing your speakers. But moving is going to completely change everything.

I would like to reinforce how incredibly important your listening space is. I lived in small houses for many years… then bought a house with a large incredibly asymmetrical room I am now using for my audio room. Holy cow… biggest upgrade ever!

So, you want to improve your system in the future. Look for a place you can set up a 6 - 9’ triangle for speakers and chair… one where there is nothing in between the speakers and the speakers are away from the front, back and side walls. Think about thick wall hangings for dampening (see my systems under user ID).

if you anticipate rooms similar to what you have now. Then consider getting some small stand mounted speakers like Totem (with a small subwoofer)… natural sounding and punchy… less room dependent than than too large floor standers in a tiny room. Right sizing is key.

I doubt it is the amp. I would recommend a separate streamer… Bluesound sell budget streamers that are very well regarded and sounds like it would be in your budget.

I have never had luck treating symptoms (equalizer). I recommend going for the source of the problem. You can clean up multiple problems at once. PCs are very noisy and transmit that through the signal chain. A purpose built streamer avoids all of this. I tried all kinds of PC, Mac, laptop solutions and didn’t really get anywhere until I bought a streamer.

OP, please do not feel self conscious about the state of your room. Most of us constantly have rooms in a state of flux.

The photo is incredibly revealing… sonically. First, move the PC away from the integrated. PCs are really noisy and you can pick up all sorts of it being that close.

Second, the speaker positions look really compromised. With that much bare wall… and the speakers that close to the wall you are likely reinforcing the treble and probably compromising the bass. The window may not be helpful as well.

Before buying anything I would start working with what you have. The thing that is immediately obvious is the setup is a big problem. Do you have options? Do you have a location where you could build a six foot triangle between your speakers an your sitting location with space behind and on sides? Could you have one side of the room for your workstation and the other your system?

Even if not permanent, I would try to build your system in the triangle… without walls so close behind and sides… then dampen the back and side walls where reflections. Then toe in on the speakers. See what it is capable of.

I have a setup in my office like yours… it sounds fantastic. It uses tiny Totem Mite speakers (10” high and 7” wide) and a small subwoofer (all in beautiful wood. 

OP, 

Thanks for the update. congratulations, this should be fun for you.

I look forward to hearing your impressions when you get your subwoofer.