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Seeking advice/tips on improving sound quality

Greetings fellow audiophiles,
Lately I have gravitated towards streaming music from my iMac to a Audioengine B1 bluetooth receiver just for the sake of convenience and the ability to play the same music in my main listening room as well as the patio/backyard (which is extremely convenient when we have large gatherings) The primary system comprises of Mcintosh C27 preamp + Mccormack DNA .5 + Vandersteen 2CE and Vandersteen 2WQ. It's a modest system and works very well. 90% of my audio files on the IMac have been ripped from original cds to Apple lossless format. Although this setup sounds very good, I was curious to know what else can be added to this chain that would bring about significant improvements to the sound quality, i have no experience with any software packages that claim to enhance the sound quality and have occassionally used an Arcam rDAC which has not sounded any better than the dac that's in the Audioengine. 
uditnaik
elevick
2,636 posts
 
1-Do you have the Vandersteen stands filled?
2-Try a really nice dac if you can borrow one?
3-Cable upgrades?  I just upgraded my power cord (nordost) and it actually made a nice difference.
4-AC conditioner?
5-Buy a turntable?

I like your system.
uditnaik OP
20 posts
 
elevick, thanks for the tips. Stands are not filled. I will try it out. As far as cables are concerned, I have Kimber PBJs all the way through for interconnects and Schmitt Audio speaker/subwoofer cables. The Mccormack has a Shunyata Venom power cable. I wish I could use a custom power cable for the Macintosh but unfortunately that's not an option. Speakers are bi-wired. I have a 8 year old Monster power conditioner. It used to be their top of their line back then so am assuming it is good enough. I am itching to go on the turn table route but it would take me a lot of money and time to build my connection again on vinyl. Maybe I might find out if any local shops can let me experiment with a DAC on 'try before you buy basis'...I am also contemplating on what can be done with room treatment that doesn't start a war in the house over aesthetics if you know what i mean....
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Headphones?
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Try Pure Music on your Mac, worlds better than the in built iTunes decoders and free to trial

http://www.channld.com/puremusic/



nycjlee
286 posts
 
I would look at getting a nice dedicated DAC to connect to your pre-amp and then connect the IMAC to the DAC (USB is fine).  The better the DAC, the better sound your going to get.  Honestly, I don't think upgrading the software on your Mac is going help that much.  What's your budget to improve the sound from the computer?  
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