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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
soix
9,552 posts
 

Given what you’re looking for and the level of your system I’d highly recommend doing a trial of the new Linear Tube Audio Aero DAC as it will address your harshness issue and likely provide significant improvements across the board. I think it could be revelatory in your system, but if not you can just return it.

https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/aero-dac-digital-analog-converter

For speaker cables these AZ Satoris are excellent, and if they don’t provide a meaningful improvement you could easily sell them for little/no loss or even a small profit, so why not?

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650129691-acoustic-zen-satori-shotgun-bi-wire-8-spade-pair/

For interconnects you can do a free trial of these, and as with the above speaker cables I think they could provide significant improvements over your old Monsters for a relatively very low price.

https://iceageaudio.com/ice-age-audio-store/ols/products/oxygen-free-copper-xlr-interconnects/v/OFC-XLR-3-FT

Hope this helps, and best of luck.

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,500 posts
 

You experience with that DAC is not that unusual.  Wonderful unit but soft bass is a critique I have heard from more than one customer.  I would look at new or used Bricasti M3.  It is a very common upgrade for folks moving from PS Audio DACs.  You could also look at the Rockna Wavellight or Canor DAC 2.10.  These are all going to be neutral to a hair warm and will have great bass response. 

The other brands that may do well for you is Aqua.  I don't know the models all that well but I know they will have a sound profile that should meet your needs. 

Full disclosure, I am a dealer for Bricasti & Rockna, I am the importer for CANOR and have no relationship with Aqua

yyzsantabarbara
4,876 posts
 

Get the Sonore OpticalRendu to replace the ultrRendu. Fibre Optic cable is something I can easily hear the benefits. Fibre is made of glass and glass cannot carry analog noise from your network into the DAC. Your ultraRendu likely does a good job, the opticalRendu would be better.

I have 2 systems with 2 network switches that provide the gateway to a fibre optical signal. One cost $79 and the other was $150, though the $150 was around $500 on Amazon recently. 

BTW - I have the Sonore 'audiophile' power supply and other audiophile stuff for my 2 streamers. If I were to do this again, I would save my money and use the regular power supply and cheaper whatever. As long as you have fibre just before your DAC then I do not think you will hear the difference with gear before the fibre.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,750 posts
 

@seaside 

Your system looks great, but if I was to nitpick a little, I’d replace those Monster IC’s with some a bit more up to date, like something in the midrange of the Audioquest line. ( look for used!)

If you are looking for more bass, look at a SVS PB 1000 Pro or 2?

All the best.

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,300 posts
 

Keep playing with the Roon dsp. Try a parametric eq boost or cut centered at 5khz and from from 4-6khz to change “pierce” effect in the sound to your preference. I like a 2-3 db boost there on my systems with both Sonus Faber Concerto Domus and Ohm Walsh. If your room is acoustically challenged like mine a lot of DSP room correction may be needed for best results regardless of what gear you use. Also a steep high pass filter set at 20-30 hz or so would place less demand on the amp and improve performance. You have good stuff assuming all is in good operating order. If not then get repaired or replace. Tweeters and crossover in good shape? Roon DSP should be able to take things to a much better place if needed including applying a custom room correction filter. You can create one of those for your room using REW freeware on a laptop using a decent quality microphone. Good luck!

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