System Upgrade

Preferably valve but i may still be short on power.

Budget? Integrated or separates?

Hi Mdmdwyer- Yes the amp is a bit on the low side for this setup, but there is ONE thing you should check first.  The DSD DAC has an internal volume control.  Make SURE that you have that at 100% otherwise it does sound a bit dull and muffled.  Hopefully that is all this is.  Good Listening!!

Thank you. It i s @ 100%.

Integrated or Separates. Just took a look at  the Luxman 509X. Preferred budget is $5-$8k.

Excellent comments by the others. I would add, though, that if you already haven't you should try all four settings of the impedance selector switch that is on the rear panel of your amp.

When I hear someone refer to lack of "presence" I envision an under-emphasis of significant parts of the mid-range. And assuming that the impedance curve of your speakers is the same as or similar to what is depicted in Stereophile's measurements of the Super HL5plus, the speaker's impedance in critical parts of the mid-range is vastly higher than in other parts of the spectrum, and is also vastly higher than its 6 ohm nominal impedance.  Which suggests, for example, that the 6 ohm setting of your amp may very well not be optimal even though it corresponds to the speaker's specified nominal impedance.

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al