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What front end piece should I upgrade?

I am requesting suggestions for the next upgrade of the front end of my system.

I currently have a Small Green Computer i5 running Quobuz and stored music files through a Sonore ultraRendu as a Roon endpoint, Audioquest Carbon USB cable into a PS Audio Directstream Junior.  The DAC was purchased used about a year ago and although it provided better SQ than the DAC in my Oppo 105, I find the low end to be weak and with some slight high frequency sibilance / harshness.  Sound stage, definition and musicality, otherwise and particularly in the midrange is significantly better than the Oppo.  I had purchased the Junior with hopes of using it as the bridge Roon endpoint, but found the SQ far superior with the ultraRendu.

This front end is connected via balanced older Monster interconnects to a Simaudio Moon 600i integrated amp, (purchased used to replace a Rogue Sphinx) through Kimber cables ending with Sonus Faber Sonetto Vs.  I have found the increased voltage of the 600i over the Sphinx to help the Sonettos open up even at low volumes.

Age early 70's, I primarily listen to Classic Rock, Classical Orchestra, Blues and "Folk-Jazz" (Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt and dare I say, Diana Krall). 

I am happy with the current level of music definition / resolution but find that I fatigue after an hour or so.  I've done a bit of low-end equalization through Roon which helps there but find that in doing so, I hear a little bit of noise, distortion or harshness in voices that I do not hear when I remove the equalization from the path.  I think I would prefer a little more warmth overall especially if it doesn't sacrifice resolution or definition. 

In summary,  I feel the front end of my system is the limitation and would like to better match the front end with the level / quality of the amplifier and speakers.  Used equipment is fine. I do not live in an area where listening to systems is an option and most reviews have left me clueless, confused and don't appear to take into consideration the equipment I would like to keep in the system.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and I will respond to any questions and share my choice and experience after a decision is made.  THANK YOU

seaside

Showing 2 responses by seaside

seaside OP
2 posts
 

WOW, thank you everyone for getting back so quickly with great ideas.

First, I didn't include a budget, not because money is no option but because I am interested in better matching my components, particularly matching the front end to the amp and speakers.  Since I have $8000 invested in them and $2000 in the renderer and streamer (which so far no one has indicated to be a problem), I am not sure how much to spend on a DAC that would be comparable to my system.  I certainly wouldn't want a high end DAC that would be limited by my other components.  

Regarding the lack of bass, I did have better bass with the Oppo DAC, but much more noticeable harshness, smaller soundstage and less definition.  I have read that the PS Audio (even the MK1) tends to be rather weak in low end reproduction (I am using the last software upgrade and have the volume set at 92).  If I could get rid of the harshness that causes fatigue (and it appears my cables may be related to that), I could possibly live with the Roon equalization.  In the Roon discussion forum, several individuals have commented that employing any of the DSP features tends to create a bit of noise similar to what I have found, and in my system this noice seems to add slightly further to the harshness that I wish to reduce.

However, I appreciate the comments made about both the balanced Monster interconnects and speaker cables (I am currently bi-wiring the old blue & white Kimber 4TC). So I will definitely look at upgrading them.  I would appreciate suggestions for replacements, again focusing more on achieving a better match for my system.

Hope I have addressed all the questions and comments and appreciate the education and responses.  Thanks

seaside OP
2 posts
 

Thank you everyone for the input.  First, I will make the suggested changes to the Roon parametric equalizer.  Second and after reading reviews on the Kimble 4TC, I appreciate the recommendation to upgrade them.  Most reviews indicate they are best for satellites with a subwoofer (I used to have KEF satellites with a subwoofer but they did not work in the larger room in our new home) as the Kimbers were found to have weak bass and the high end was somewhat bright and harsh.  Those AZ Satori Shotgun (used) sound great.

Third and moving onto the recommendation to upgrade the Monster XLR interconnects, I should have said that they are M1500s with a retail price in 2005 of $400, although I purchased them used for $125 when I got the PS jr.  Thus, I never listened to the DAC with any other interconnects.  According to reviews(3 combined into one), "The M1500s are in a different league from their much cheaper brethren. Their build quality is substantially superior (they have very sturdy yet flexible outer jackets) to the M850i, M950i, and M1000i cables.  In fact, one of its strengths is the connector. It uses a solder less design that was employed on the Sigma. They were also much more expensive new.  I would say that they are a fairly good and neutral cable, and that they compare rather favorably with the Audioquest Emerald's that now reside in my system."  

So with that new info, do folks continue to believe that I should upgrade them?

After I complete those steps, I will weigh whether it is better to upgrade the DAC or move from the ultraRendu to the opticalRendu.  These would clearly be more costly upgrades and if the changes to the speaker cables and interconnects would resolve the harshness and begin to address the weak bass response, I may be able to live with my ultraRendu and DAC with some tweaking of the Roon parametric equalizer.

Please let me know what you think and again, thank you all for your suggestions and expertise! 

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