Speakers, speaker cables or I’m getting old…

Update, given what I’ve heard thus far and without a doubt, new speaker cables will improve it.  I can already tell there’s things I really like about this speaker and there are things I really like about the Harbeth SLH5’s, so I bought a set of SHL5+ XD’s.  

The mid-bass on these little puppies is excruciatingly good, esp for their size.  I’ll likely keep them for a bit, may build a second system out of them.  Again, thanks for the comments.

Thank you all.

My new speaker cables will be here this week, so not over rotating on any one thing.  But, they are the weakest link @coralkong and I believe my setup is fairly revealing.  

@overthemoon spoken like a true hobbyist!!!  I am beyond familiar with Fear Inoculum, which I’ll use to A/B Tidal and qobuz.  I can’t imagine there would be a difference, as sonically + digitally, it’s the same, right?

Yes, I should’ve been a little more detailed.

I went with PIne Tree Audio cabling for balanced/USB/power, and Audio Art cabling for my C20 power and speaker cabling.  

I’m running the PL X2.5, PS Audio DirectStream DAC, Innuous Pulse, PL X150.8, Inakustik 3500 and the Dyn Heritage Specials w/the Sub6.  I’m getting ready to test running my PL dedicated off a Shunyata Hydra Cyclops.

@mijostyn I 100% agree.  I have GIK Acoustic panels, and you’re correct.  There was some midrange energy building dead center, which is much tamer w/my mid trap set there, the other is behind my head.  I’m waiting for my isolation feet from Stack Audio.  I’m also waiting on a rack from Butcher Block Acoustics, along with some of their isolation platforms.  I’ve already taken the step to fill the stands with aquarium gravel.  They certainly resonated prior.

@jtcf Noted.  In both my prior setups I ran a DEQX Premate, unbelievable addition.  It’s limited though in the digital domain and setting them up is beyond an adventure.  But, once set up w/room treatments, it sounds unbelievable.  It is something I’m considering reintegrating, that or McIntosh’s MEN220.  I’ve tested one previously, another magic device.  Though, I won’t self-diagnose myself with a hearing condition, they certainly help smooth out those frequencies.

@ericeagleson I agree, I wouldn’t compare them, and both have special qualities that I adore.  I won’t agree or disagree with the cable comment, but I’ll share my experience when the the current $1/foot wire is swapped…I”m reserving judgement there.  I’ve never gone too in-depth with cables, so I don’t have an inherent bias towards any brand or thought position on it.  On my prior systems I invested heavily into Shunyata.  I swapped out the Shun Hydra setup for a Nordost QX4 and Qbase, that certainly changed the dynamics.  This time, I opted to go entry level on the cabling.  I believe I’ve spent a grand total of $2k on all of the cabling, including the Ethernet cables.  I would say this is really my first experiment/experience with an effort around taking time with the cabling.  
 

@decooney I don’t have their speaker cables running, yet.  It’s $1 General special running now.  I have their C20 power cables and will be running a set of their midrange speaker cables.  I’ll keep you updated.  I’m running the Pass X2.5.  I do know there is a PL fan cohort that abhors the .8 series.  I’ve ran the XA60.5’s and they certainly were very organic sounding, really enjoyed them.  The one note I would say is they are current monsters, efficient speakers will dance.  I did go with copper cabling.
 

@mijostyn That’s nice to hear, but hasn’t the DEQX been in Beta for about 4 years now?  I concur, the bass management, the room and speaker correction is next level.  But to still not have EQ curves from them, man.  Hard to stay relevant when your product can’t iterate w/n it’s own software stack, or you can’t find devs to assist.  

@coralkong Yeah, I did not spend much time or money on cabling and don’t fancy an endless pursuit being a cable hobbyist.  I can say, there’s a massive difference between super cheap cables and ones that cost $100 - $500, my current experience.  I’ve had expensive cables, and wouldn’t say my experience with the less expensive ones has diminished any of my enjoyment.  What I will say, there’s a prevailing thought that if you begin w/expensive cables, one must continue along that path of increasing costs to improve a signal chain.  This logic I question.  

@mijostyn Ahhh, that timing aligns…I remember seeing their pressers for the new lineup, then poof, gone.  

It’s good to hear, I owned one for a few years and tried multiple times to get rid of it, due to the digital limitations.  Even with that limit, it just couldn’t be bested and I kept it for a long time.  I look forward to their new release.

@1971gto455ho I remember meeting Noel Lee in the late 90’s, as the car audio boom took off.  That guy could sell steak to a Vegan.  I often hear the same vigor in mystifying words, terms, and effects with today’s cabling.  

Everything has begun to settle in. Some isolation bits arrived from Butcher Block Acoustics, swapped in the Harbeth H5 XD’s, along with the new speaker cables. The hiss and sheen on the higher frequencies are no longer present. Tomorrow I’m dropping in a MSB Analog DAC. FWIW, I did A/B using the Inakustik with everything plugged in and using a Shunyata Cyclops dedicated to just the amp. I prefer the later, the biggest difference I noticed was a slightly deeper/cleaner bass. Nothing earth shattering, but something I’ll keep.

Thanks for the input.

@zszwedo I do think the Dyn + Pass combo is magical for many.  I like them, but have been A/B’ing the Harbeth SLH5 XD’s and the Dyn HS.  Very different speakers.  Comparing them for my personal tastes, I’ve opted to go with the Harbeth’s.  They’re using the Esotar tweeter from the Confidence line, I too have owned a set, but I think that tweeter sounds best when paired with their 3-driver  Confidence line.  Granted, if one isn’t in the Confidence price budget, this is a great speaker in lieu of that.