Which way should I go?


I have a system of top-notch components that sound absolutely terrible together. The midrange shouts at you and the high frequencies can become harsh on all but the smallest scale music. My speakers are B&W Matrix 802 series II. The Amp is a Threshold s/350e 150 wpc with a Krell KBL preamp. Source components include the Theta Digital Data II universal transport and their pro Gen II D/A converter. I have tried a conrad johnson hybrid pre-amp, which didn't make the night and day difference I am looking for given the cost needed to make the change. Should I be looking to change speakers, or should I be looking at electronics? I have heard that Levinson matches well with my speakers, but of course the cost is prohibitive. I would like to try and get away with changing only one thing if that is at all possible.
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Showing 1 response by tenniswino

Either ditch the Theta or have it upgraded to the III or the V. I bought the Theta Pro Gen II in 1992. Even though it was one of the best DACs around at the time, DACs have become much warmer the years including the Theta. When I had the Theta upgraded from the II to the III, the difference was truly "night and day". The III was much more warm and far less "in your face" than the II. In fact I still use a Theta Pro Gen II in my home theatre which can definitely be too bright at times - but this is less of an issue for movies and the bass is still quite good. If the cost of to upgrade the Theta is unacceptable or if Theta takes three years or more to get your upgrade done (their customer service is pathetic) - why not just dump the Theta and switch to a Sonic SFD2 Mark II DAC?. I have also owned this DAC and found it to be much warmer and smoother than the Theta and this should help your system alot. As you may know prices are real soft on the Sonic equipment right now. You can buy this $5300 DAC for less than $1500. Less the $600 or so you might get for the Theta the change in DACs should cost you less than a grand.