Weakest Link in my system... Power Supply, DAC, or...

Move your equipment to a larger space and elevate your listening experience with the expansive, realistic soundstage that these exceptional audio components are capable of reproducing.

Haha. Yes the room is not ideal, I live in New York City!

the room has a large opening to a dining room, and another to the second floor…. Open to suggestions on the room besides moving to another house…! 
 

when I listen I move the PAP horns about 3.5’ from the wall. It sounds terrific but have never experienced an ideal room…

r

Your system looks fairly well matched. Obviously carefully chosen. It would be very useful if you could create a virtual system and post some photos from different angles and of your space. That would be very helpful.

Try this Acoustic Zen MC2 digital cable.  This is a great price so if it doesn’t work out you can probably turn around and sell it for a $50+ profit.  Hurry because it won’t last long.  Read the reviews — they’re all extremely positive. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650228683-acoustic-zen-silver-mc2-digital-coax-cable/

The most critical audio component is the room.  You can keep spending more money on better equipment and only get a fraction of the benefit because the room problems will eat up the rest.

Active bass traps will go a long, long way to elevate the sound presentation in the room and many are very inconspicuous.   Also, in NY vernacular, if you have a TV between the speakers well, Forgeddaboutit.  

I am interested in learning more about my bass trap options... where to begin on this? 

Thanks,

Richard

We would recomend a dac upgrade

r2r dacs tend to roll of the high end 

@audiotroy  Nonsense. 

@rick_n You are 100% correct. New DAC or a new digital cable is not going to overcome the shortcomings of an untreated/balanced listening space. 

Your room is definitely the weakest link. Or rather your belief there's little you can do. Acoustical treatment on the ceiling, is as important as the walls in controlling both early reflections and overall reverb and slap echo.  and using panels covered in cloth to match the ceiling, they are virtually  invisible. Wall panels can also be covered with artwork, and even your own photos. 

Corner bookcases offer a tremendous opportunity to integrate absorption, diffraction and bass traps into their design. Think an 'L' shaped piece divided into cubbies, some filled with books, others panels either facing straight on or slabs on edge - mixing it up.allows a lot of tuning options. Using two intersecting flat cases would leave a 12X12 rectangular space (assuming a 12" deep bookcase) that could house invisible bass traps - passive or active. Even doing some of this will yield far greater and immediately  audible improvements for a fraction of cost of any electronics changes or re-cabling.

Being unable to tx the room, as everyone here is correct, your next major advance will be more difficult. My PAP’s leaped forward literally and figuratively when they moved 8 ft off the front wall(because I could). You might consider a SWFB or Fidelium SC’s as that horn will showcase. 

The system "sounds" great based on components. 

Weakest link is room. You can always change DAC and amp for different/better but if you get clever with room treatments you'll have better listening sessions

Great system. A virtual system with pics would be helpful.
 

Is there something about the system that you feel is lacking or that bothers you? What are your listening habits, genre, volume levels? That might be a good place to start.
 

The only piece I see that is missing is some form of power treatment. Given you are in NYC, it might make a difference for you. I have found my solution with a regenerator, but there are many options. 

Power upgrade’s / cables…, nonsense ! As said by most room treatment should be your primary Implementation. 

If you've done all that in the space of eight months, why not just enjoy what you have for a while and forget about the need to "improve" anything?

Another +1 for room treatments.

Best bang for the buck by far.

That's a really nice, well balanced system. What's your budget? As others have said, addressing the room might be the biggest bang for buck move. I don't think you have to go wild to get significant gains. Make sure the first reflection points are addressed-don't forget the ceiling. Beyond that, I think speakers, then preamp, amp are the most significant, but usually the most costly and you seem to have good equipment-would likely need to spend 2-3 times more to get big gains. I'd suggest the room first. FWIW, a new DAC would be pretty far down on the list for me. Once you get a competent DAC, there are gains to be had but unless you spend big, relatively modest compared to other possibilities-just my opinion-I'm sure others disagree. 

GIK Acoustics is super helpful with room treatment options. Just a few emails back and forth with pictures and room measurements, and they will have a 3D virtual rendition of your room with treatment options to fit your budget that is really really helpful to have on hand and evaluate your next steps. . They'll do this for free if you go to their website and poke around, you will find an email address to request help for. 

Clean power is important.  If you're using stock power cords w/o a conditioner, I think spending a little is warranted.  For me, I saw large improvements by going to all Audioquest NRG-Y3 (or better) power chords and something as inexpensive as an Audioquest Powerquest 303 or 505. Better clarity, tighter bass.

Better DAC helped get tone, clarity, and bass extension for me.

Don't sell the house or modify such WAF gets affected!

My room sounds pretty much like your listining space (dimensionally the same opening to a dining room) I run a smaller horn based system with simaler electronics. My reccomendation would be to work on the room.

I just went through this for a second time. This time using more appropriate acoustic panels. My system throws a  plausible ,solid center stereo image but not a lot of depth to the sound stage. After treating the room is is no longer and issue .

GIK is a good starting place for info.