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Seeking help finding the weak link(s) in my system and offering suggestions please.

Hi! I recently paid a visit to a local audio salon and listened to a system that was so good I was "moved". However, I could never afford the price of entry to realize this kind of sound reproduction. I have spent the last couple of years assembling a system I could afford, focusing on components I felt were the best bang for the buck. I'm not trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, however with your help I am hoping to find where I may have a weak link or two. My budget makes this a challenge as I have only about 1K to invest. Thank you to all those in advance for your suggestions, my system is listed below. One more item, about 90% of my listening is Qobuz streaming.

System:
Dedicated/Isolated 20Amp AC source with PS Audio outlet.
Furman AC power conditioning.
Nordost Magus Power cords for source equipment and Kimber PK10 for Amp.
Ethernet cables all CAT7.
Kimber Silver Streak both balanced and SE throughout.
Speaker cables are Blue-Jeans 10AWG White - two 15' pair.
USB cable from PC to streamer is Audio Adviser Pangea SE 2 meter.
Canare/Have digital 1.5M coax from transport to Streamer.
Krell Vanguard Integrated Amp.
Cambridge Audio AZURE 851N Streamer/DAC.
Sonus Faber Electa monitors.
Sunfire HRS series subwoofer.
Sony SCD2000ES Transport/SACD player.
Luxman T117 Tuner (Best sounding component)?

Again, I appreciate your kind assistance, I am really looking forward to responses!

GRM

grm
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
I’m very interested in learning more about DSP Room Correction. Does anyone have experience with this and where do you start?
A good way to start may be with the following page at MiniDSP.com, and then proceeding to look into the specific products referred to near the bottom of that page:

https://www.minidsp.com/applications/digital-room-correction/drc-basics

I have no experience with and no particular knowledge of MiniDSP products, but I’ve seen them mentioned favorably here by knowledgeable members. Personally I use a DEQX HDP-5 in my system, which performs room correction as well as numerous other functions, but that and other DEQX products would not be consistent with your stated budget as well as being complex products requiring substantial learning curves.

Best regards,
-- Al
andera's avatar
andera
37 posts
 
I was thinking also the speaker cable. In the used market you should be able to find a $2k set for $1k, or $1,500 set for $800... as examples. I am very happy with my Harmonic Technology 6N single crystal copper, PRO-9 speaker cables. Purchased used... saved big $$.
I would leave enough room in the budget for an inexpensive tweak like the Synergistic fuse. I used the blue fuse in my CDP outboard power supply and couldn't believe the results for under $200. Another even less expensive increase for me was to pull the lid from my CDP... and add dampening material... very easy and only around $25. The results were similar to the fuse upgrade. Good luck, and enjoy the journey : )
tablejockey
4,081 posts
 
No one is mentioning the room and speaker setup in the room?

The basic gear without fancy outlets, cables in a proper room  setup probably would have more impact.
grm OP
149 posts
 
Hello,
Thank you for the link to DSP solutions almarg9. One of their products, for $900 might fit the bill. I am leaning in this direction because I have learned that DRC can do some amazing things with respect to audio reproduction, such as "will make your speakers disappear". Plus, if it does not meet my expectations I can recoup my $ and return the processor. 

I appreciate everyone's contribution, and I agree speaker cables may be one of the weak links in my system, if only there was a no risk solution to trying custom 15' lengths of different cables. I thought I remember reading in these forums that there was a company that could provide this service??
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
773 posts
 
The Cable Company (thecableco.com) has a cable lending library, but generally only has speaker cable lengths of 8-10ft. 

In my experience, DSP room correction is useful for tweaking speaker response to compensate for minor room issues, but only after doing everything possible to adjust the room acoustics with speaker and listener positioning and acoustic treatments. 

You didn't mention your room layout or what treatments you've already installed, but the room if probably the most important component in your system. Getting the room right can make a huge impact on the overall sound quality. 

Some of the companies that specialize in room treatments will provide free consulting to help you figure out what will have the most bang for the buck. Take a look at GIK Acoustics.


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