audio_guy_uofw

Responses from audio_guy_uofw

Analog invites you to turn up the volume
While certainly the equipment can introduce differences in sound, especially phono cartridges, there is also the issue of mastering. With streaming the provenance is usually unknown, while with vinyl it is usually possible to determine the  master... 
Room setting: new amp or new speakers?
+1 devinplomnier and ddgtt  You should get your speakers out into the room on stands and spend some time finding a good location which optimizes bass performance and imaging. This will make a huge difference, and start you on the right path. Then... 
Streamers and software
I use Roon, have a lifetime subscription, and am very happy with it. You can try out for free, and go month to month to give it a good trial. A bit of a learning curve...but that is true of any of the software packages.  
Recommended amplification
Power and listening level are tricky. A 3dB increase in listening level is often referred to as a just noticeable difference...but it requires 2x the power. A 10dB difference in listening level is subjectively twice as loud...ye requires 10x the p... 
Acoustic Panel Help
I have 1.7i's and have found in my room absorption on the front wall and diffusion on the back wall work well to maintain imaging while providing a sense of spaciousness. Maggie's radiate little to the sides, so I have found side wall reflections ... 
room treatment gurus, please
Consider suwoofers, which could be placed in a location where the bass modes couple better to the listening position.   
Music server recommendations needed.
Surprised nobody has recommended a Roon server.  I personally love it's  metadata management and deep search capabilities. It also fully integrates you library with Tidal and Quobuz, so you can have the best of both worlds. Have a look if you are ... 
HumminGuru Orbit Vinyl Record Static Remover
Vinyl Storage Solutions. They are excellent! https://vinylstoragesolutions.ca/    
Alternative absorbent acoustic material?
In most rooms a combination of absorption and diffusion will result in the most pleasing acoustics. Too much absorption can result in a dead sounding room which is not pleasant to be in, let alone listen to music in. GIK website has lots of info. ... 
How to set up volume control on a DAC without a preamp
I would also be concerned driving an amp directly from a DAC. Roon has had a bug in past that caused the volume to ramp to 100%. Could be catastrophic under the wrong circumstances.  
End of a long quest to vanquish sibilance.
I wonder if the lowering of the speakers by removing the pavers took you out of a hot spot in the vertical dispersion pattern of the speakers. You could slump down a few inches in your chair and see if it returns.  
Decisions, decisions, decisions
I agree with your approach, the speaker upgrade will usually provide the biggest sonic upgrade. Dub and Funk can be quite bass heavy, which is where most of the power demands come from. You don't mention listening levels, but if you start to push ... 
Paradigm Studio 20 V3 Tweeter Swap
Or consider a tone control?  
Best speaker brands for transient response
Interesting that most the OP's description of transients relate more to midrange and high frequencies, not bass. "The target effects I use to test transiency are the crash-to-ring transient of a cymbal, fingers going across guitar strings, snare ... 
speakers and cables
The purpose of having both channel inputs on the sub is so that they can be summed to mono. If you are using the two subs adjacent to your left and right main speakers, you could consider left channel to left sub and right channel to right sub. If...