Help please! Something amiss with my digital chain


Hello all,

I'm new here and new to the audophile community.  At 49 years old, finally have had a moment to set up some nice audio so I can sit and enjoy music - with the family and by myself! - as its meant to be heard.  No more soundbars and bluetooth pod speakers.  Was a vocal performance major for 1 1/2 years in college and music has a hugely positive impact on my life. 

After much initial research and some listening to a few friend's systems, I spent a little money.  The analog chain sounds fantastic - rich, nuanced, lively, none of that fatiguing glare - I can't believe I waited this long.  Pound for pound super thrilled with the result.  When I switch to my digital source, however, the music sounds much thinner, flat, lifeless - awful.  Can someone more experienced than I help me diagnose the problem? 

The system:  MoFi Ultradeck with MoFi Ultragold MC cartridge --> Modwright PH9XT phono stage --> recently refurbished Decware ZMA tube amplifier --> Omega SuperAlnico monitors.  The digital side includes an Auralic G1.1 streamer --> Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC --> Decware ZMA.  I use Audioquest red river level interconnects and mid-level Decware copper speaker cables. 

Some hypotheses: 

1. Could it be I need a pre-amplifier after the DAC?  Holding the amp volume steady, sound level coming from the DAC is noticeably less than from the phono stage.  If this is the issue, any suggestions on what will have good synergy with the tube amp? 

2.  Power supply issue? right now I'm plugging everything into a very basic surge protector.  Was gonna wait and see before pouring cash into this aspect of things. 

3. Weird setting issue with the complicated streamer?  I'm playing Tidal and it seems it automatically shifts to whatever resolution the track is, but maybe I'm doing something boneheaded here without realizing it. 

4. Burn in issue? The DAC got a week of burn-in before I received it. I've also run music for several days when away from home to see if things improve but its not changing much. 

Any and all ideas appreciated.  Thank you!  Alejandro

ale1601

Showing 1 response by mm1tt77

@ale1601 you have some great gear, a preamp with your Omega speakers is likely a must.  Another great point is that analogue is pleasing to the ear because it distorts sound in a way most of us find really pleasing.  Digital, inherently removes that magic and performs in a linear, flat, uncolored way.  You've already leaned into a DAC that's purpose is to make digital sound more analogue, more like your vinyl set up. Now you need to find synergy in your digital system.  Your Omega speakers are ultra efficient, the gear you have in your chain matches their needs.  But... when you have a system that's sensitive and efficient, its really sensitive the gear feeding it, which is why you need a preamp in the chain that will help match the impedance, gain that you need that will sit between your DAC and your Amp.  

You likely have a miss match in your digital set up between the gain, it's likely too hot for your amp / speaker combo causing it to drive listening fatigue, a harshness that isn't showing up on your vinyl set up.  I'd call over to LTA, if they think your current set up would pair well with their Pre, that would be an impressive combo and likely change the sound of your digital set up.  

The other stuff all matters but not as much as dropping in a Pre that will balance things out in your system and provide the synergy you are missing, that's what is really missing, synergy between your gear and with efficient, sensitive speakers, a lack of synergy is going to be highlighted and amplified.  

I'd also address your Wifi connection while you identify a pre, running a ethernet cable is your quickest way to identify if your wifi connection is hurting performance.  A wifi extender as recommended can be a great option, be careful though, I had one and have tube gear and the gear picked up electrical noise that was introduced by the wall wort powering the extender.  

Power can influence performance digitally do a greater extent, my experience is if you have a quality power conditioner, plugging your streamer, DAC, Pre into it can help the cause, I would stay away from plugging your amp into it.  I would address this last, it will be what allows you to pull a bit more performance out of your gear but It's to ring to transform your system into something you love if you aren't really happy with the sound now.

Speakers - Omega Speakers are awesome, I live in CT and I bought a pair of Omega DynaTens, I visited their shop.  Custom built, quality is off the charts for their price.  Most of their speakers, yours included are made for high efficiency, sensitivity, your gear matches their needs currently but with the missing link on the pre causing a mismatch on the digital side of things.  That said, it's possible they just don't suite what you are looking for when you switch to digital from vinyl.  Once you get the rest of the above baked out, dropping in more traditional speakers that aren't single driver, high efficiency would be something well worth trying just to get a proof of concept.  Again, though, Omega's are a hidden gem in HiFi, they are built by someone who loves what he does, pours a level of care, craftsmanship Into each speaker that is hard to match, great speakers but they are niche, very specific on their design and extremely system dependent on how they sound, perform. 

 

Good Luck!