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A DAC to help overcome compressed music?

I have found after upgrading my system, to a much higher level then I ever had before, that with some of the music I enjoy I can now really hear how compressed the music is. I could always tell, but now it’s really obvious to the point of wondering what I can do about it - from a digital source perspective. Would perhaps a certain type of DAC or DAC’s that have various different settings as some do, help “improve” the compression in some way? Or do I simply need to live with it? I am sure there are many others that have had this happen to them. I use a Bluesound or Qobuz currently. 
deadhead1000
unsound
7,365 posts
 
I seem to recall that many years ago DBX made a CD player (DX5?) with processing features that claimed to do what I think you’ve seeking.
decooney
2,358 posts
 
Thread Title: "A DAC to help overcome compressed music?".

@deadhead1000
..."I was not specifically looking for a DAC."

Ok. That clears it up.  
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
987 posts
 
I definitely do not recommend it, but a preamp with a high 2nd order distortion profile like Primaluna will give you an added sense of depth/space but even then, compressed dynamics will still be present and it would be a case of the "cure" being worse than the disease. 
deadhead1000's avatar
deadhead1000 OP
720 posts
 
Thanks all, some good suggestions that I will look into.  Mahler123, you nailed it. I was wondering if others found that happening to them and it wasn’t just me - or if there was, perhaps a magic bullet. 
soix
10,359 posts
 
Totally agree with @mahler123. You might consider trying a tube DAC as they can sometimes inject some life into lesser recordings without ruining good recordings and also be a big improvement over the Node’s DAC. I’d try an MHDT Orchid DAC that you can order from the company and I think they offer a return period so you can try at home. I think that’d be well worth a try, and if it helps you’d also have the flexibility to try different tubes to custom tailor your sound even further. Anyway, just my $0.02 FWIW, and best of luck.
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