Complex music is difficult for many systems to reproduce which is why the vast majority of audio manufacturers use relatively simple music for their show demos. Even very high-end companies love Musica Nuda (bass and voice) Vanessa Fernandez (a few well-recorded instruments) and the like. IMO, if you want a system capable of playing complex music, you need to evaluate everything in your system and try different combinations until you are getting what you want. Your stuff now is pretty good, so maybe your expectations are just not realistic within your price point. BTW, I don't think a tube dac with a tube preamp would we "redundant" as you put it. I had the EAR Acute CD player with a Viva tube and and it was a great combination.
Dac methodology
Hi, I’m exploring ideas for a Dac upgrade. Currently have Denafrips Ares2 and Benchmark Dac3. Read an interesting thread hers about tube Dacs, Mhdt, Lampizator Amber, Audio Mirror. I have a PL Diologue preamp, Pass XA25, Cornwall speakers. Wondering if tube Dac with tube preamp may be redundant. Sort of thinking of Dac output stage as pre-preamp. I’m I overthinking? Looking for separation of instruments during complex music, right now things get a bit “mushy” and in distinct when many instruments are playing. Thanks for any perspective! Ted
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