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New dac

Hello everyone. 

  My question today deals with my dac and my quest for something better. I have a PS audio digital link iii that I believe might be the weak link in my system. What l like about the dac is its soundstage and clarity, but I find the bass lacking some punch. Not so much the lower octives but more the mid bass. I'm more a music lover then a technical audiophile so please bare with me while I try to describe the sound I'm lacking.

System includes 
Belles Aria int. amp
Bluesound node 2
PS audio digital link iii
Vandersteen sig 2Dr sig 2
Integra dpc7.7
Audioquest Gibraltar speaker wires
Audioquest Colorado ICs

Thanks


wmbode
nagel
54 posts
 
3rd vote for reclocker/regen on usb side. Wyred4 Sound Recovery can be had used for $110 and I think is better than synchro mesh, but it does lack ground plane isolation. The RuR as it’s known also benefits greatly from an improved linear power supply. You might start with an Audioquest Jitterbug for $50 new, with free return at musical fidelity which will fatten up the bass and mellow your treble. They can also be modified to cut the vbus power which is said to improve the sound. I’ve realized big gains by building an elaborate usb chain. The Bluesound is a well regarded but lower cost and modest usb source, and almost every usb source needs to be improved. Which USB cable are you using? Cardas can help with bass there as well (I use a v1 Clear), but I’ve recently heard great things about the iFi Mercury 3.0.

All that said, the AQ Colorado is a light/lean sounding cable to me. Kind of the AQ house sound, at least before the latest power products moved away from it. I think your Gibraltar is more neutral.
yage
400 posts
 
I’ve got a pair of 3A Sigs. I’ve found that most bass problems stem from speaker / listening position placement rather than component issues.

I used the ’odd dimensions’ method from the manual. Have you tried moving them around using this procedure? I also find that my speakers sound best without any toe-in. Try changing that aspect as well. Also try to measure how high your ears are from the ground. This would affect the cabinet tilt-back angle (and as a result frequency response).

You could also be sitting in a null in the mid bass frequencies. Experiment with moving your seat back and forth a few inches. You might find it makes all the difference.

Finally, you can adjust the contour controls. Try reducing the level of the midrange by 1-2 dB. This might give you the mid bass balance you seek.

Hope this helps!


mesch
3,466 posts
 
Regarding the DAC question, I believe your DL3 mates well with your system. To better it would cost much more and may not return on that value unless you upgrade the rest of the system.  As I said earlier, the DL3's weak link is the USB input. At the time it was placed in the market USB was a convenience interface. If you want to use the USB input get a USB/SPDIF converter. I suggest a M2Tech Hiface, removes need for a USB cable, however you will occupy the coax input.


craigl59
307 posts
 

News from our German Audiophiles!

RME, a studio leader in AD/DA conversion for some 20 years has entered the consumer market with a DAC/Pre, the REM ADI-2 DAC. Just available in 2018 the product has outsold both of its production runs immediately and is now backordered to mid-April.

Got one of these units this week and it is the best conversion I have heard -- period. The architecture allows you to shift through 5 filter curves ranging from standard impulse designs through NOS. Those who listen to dense orchestral textures will note the increased clarity and timbral accuracy available by selecting the best option; those who enjoy vocal pop music will be impressed with the way the "Slow" option captures the essence of the singer with perfection.

Will not bore with specifics; you can google reviews on the internet and check out the product description on the RME website; the specs are spectacular and the jitter figures are the best in the industry. For information comparing this unit to standard DACs in the consumer world, see the Gearslutz reviews for RME ADI-Pro 2, an AD/DA converter that the new RME ADI-2 DAC is virtually identical to.

Oh, then there's the price. Only $999.

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