DAC/Pre-Amp Advice


Hey all!

Currently at a crossroads in my HiFi adventure. I want to know what you guys would recommend as my next upgrade to my system. Here is the equipment I currently have:

Bluesound Node

Yamaha A-S1200

Sony UBP-X800 (Using this as SACD player)

Rega Planar 2 Turntable

Pair of B&W 704 S2

 

I have had the amp for around 45-60 days now, and I love the sound now that I have had time to burn it in. Mostly stream music from Tidal right now (trying out Qobuz), and play the occasional Record/SACD with the equipment above. I feel the only things I am really desiring in this system is some type of room correction, and subwoofers.

When looking at room correcting software, what all do you guys recommend? With new Preamp/DAC would I need it to support MQA, or would my Node be able to take care of that? Budget is around $2500-3000, but I'm open to frankly any other suggestions. If you guys need any other info please let me know, looking forward to the discussion.

chuck_tamu

Which Node do you have, the Node 2 (or 2i) or is it the newest Node 130 with USB output? Also don't worry about MQA, it's a farce

@vthokie83 

I have the Node 130. I was going to ask if using the USB 2.0 port would have been the best connection to the DAC.

 

@audioman58 

I appreciate the recommendation, I'm adding it to the list!

With that system adding room correction is a pain. I also don't like the idea of room correction for stereo sound.

+1 @travelinjack I’d focus on the other stuff first and then deal with room correction later.  @chuck_tamu Why do you feel you need room correction?  Where are your speakers situated in the room?  Often times experimenting with speaker placement can yield significant improvements, and it’s free!

OP, room correction is the real deal, I have a very well treated room which you need as room correction can’t do everything. When you add it to a well treated room it is WELL worth the cost of admission. Look at the graphs in my virtual system page. Here is just two channel graph, even before adding room correction I have a great room response but when you add the room correction WOW, I can just sit and listen on and on. When you A/B listen and compare corrected vs uncorrected you will never go back:

@soix 

The reason I wanted room correction stemmed from when I was auditioning different amps for my system. I went by a store that had an M33 set up with room correction, and they did an A/B listening experience, and it was one of the more mind blowing things I have listened to. The M33 was well outside my budget at the time, and there were some aspects of the sound that weren't my favorite, but listening to the difference in room correction made me a believer.

System is currently in a 13x20' room with about 10' tall ceilings. My seating position is approx 10-11' back from the speakers. I have the speakers toe'd in toward my seating position in the room. 

@kota1 

The proof is definitely in the pudding man. I think there are some aspects in audio that to someone like me would be more placebo than experience changing. But my ears definitely heard the difference in that demo, and it was incredible.