Yes, adding a very good preamp will most likely improve matters as @ghdprentice indicated.
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
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- 39 posts total
@ale1601: Yes, if your digital is going to be via streaming your music, then you have to do it right. My current end-game audio system is a dedicated streaming system, and in over 40 years in the hobby, I’ve never been happier. As others have recommended, I highly recommend you add a high quality preamplifier, whether it be tube or solid state really doesn’t matter as long as it gives you the kind of sound quality you’re looking for. Then, go hardwire by using high quality ethernet cables, and a quality audio switch, router and streamer. Also, contrary to others beliefs, I highly recommend plugging all of your components, including your amplifier, into a high quality, non-power restricting power conditioner, like one of the Audioquest Niagara power conditioners. For your audio system, I highly recommend the Audioquest Niagara 1200 power conditioner. Make sure you use a high quality power cable from the wall outlet to the power conditioner (I even have upgraded wall outlets). If you do these things, I guarantee, your digital will sound so compelling, you will spend less and less time cranking up your analog rig. Happy listening. |
Another possibility is that you simply prefer the frequency response variations and distortion characteristics of your phono setup. I found a test review of the MoFi Ultragold MC cartridge and it is anything but flat with an over 4 dB variance between channels above 10 KHz with the distortion above 2KH rising rapidly from around 2% up 10% at 20KHz. (Lab Report from HiFi News.) This is not uncommon with moving coil cartridges. One also gets to throw the RIAA equalization curve into the mix which has a bass to treble swing of around 40 dB. Meanwhile, your digital system is probably ruler-flat, so no surprise that you are hearing a difference. |
@hbarrel yes, they were on backorder for what felt like forever but I recently received the Ray reserves! They were free as part of a Christmas special that LTA honored even though I technically ordered a week or two after the promotion had ended. Lots of value in these other comments; thank you all. Looks like I'm gonna test the impact of a pre-amp, dig into proper ethernet hard wiring and do some experimenting on the power side of things as 1, 2, and 3. Comforting to know I should be able to get the streaming to a place that does not feel like a compromise. |
- 39 posts total