2. amps-preamps
  3. 1079461449

Suggestion please: How to improve sound.

As a new comer to audio world, I gradually build my system:

Theta Data II transport.
Theta Pro Basic II DAC.
Audio Research LS-15 tube preamp (superb).
Aragon 8008 Mk2.
NHT 3.3.

All cables are Monster's at this time. For speaker cables, DIY cat5 is on the way. I am using gauge 12 generic cable now.

This system sound pretty good to me. However, I feel it should sound better. The only A/B test I did is to compare preamp to Myryad MP100 and Threshold F10, LS-15 sounds absolutely better, smooth and more musical. I also compare Aragon amp to Threshold S300 and seems NHT 3.3 likes power.

Overall, I feel this system could sound more transparent and more airy. Since I have no chance to do many A/B test to pickup the best equipement, I would like to hear some comments from real audiophiles here. Which is bottle neck in my system?

But I don't have too much money to burn. I once heard Pass Lab X350 which superb, but it is just too expensive. I was thinking about Aragon Palladium. I wonder if upgrade from 8008 to Palladium with more power will improve a lot?

Any comments are welcome and thanks in advance.

Roy
roy2001

Showing 1 response by newbee

newbee
4,794 posts
 
Spend a lot of time working on set up and treatment of your room (even if you think you have done this - revisit it). You might be amazed at the differences small changes can make - often much greater than buying new stuff. For example, in my room, which I thought was well dialed in, I moved one speaker closer 1 1/2 inches and the other 2' further to toward the outside (no longer symetrical) and the sound stage clicked in like I couldn't believe! The first time I have ever had great layered depth of imaging in my present room.

Re new stuff, what kind of sound are you looking for - what about your present set up do you not like? Give us a clue and I'm sure you'll get some meaningful recommendations.
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