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Which component to upgrade to improve bass control?

Adding Symposium shelves and rollerblocks to my monitor (Silverline SR17.5) equipped system definitely helped but bass is still not nearly as controlled as I'd like.

Until we move into a different house where I can have a dedicated room for audio, I cannot use subs or add panels, traps, etc. to the room.  

So, I'm left with the possibility of upgrading a component but I have no idea whether my integrated (Wells Majestic), transport (Sim Moon 260) or DAC (Aqua La Voce S2) might be the best candidate for upgrading.

DAC UPGRADE ?
Are R2R ladder DACs simply weak in this area?  Searching the threads, I found a reference to DAC power supplies having a strong influence re: bass control but I lack the technical expertise to utilize this fact. Please keep in mind that I do not enjoy DACs that prioritize resolution above all.  

TRANSPORT UPGRADE ?
Would replacing the Moon transport with say, the new Pro-ject CD Box RS2 T be a better choice? 

INTEGRATED UIPGRADE ?
Would an amp with more grunt be the best choice?

I can only upgrade one of these at this point.
Budget:
Integrated: 5K
Transport: 3.5K
DAC: 5K
stuartk
stuartk OP
2,993 posts
 
@tomic601:

Thanks for your generous offer. Unfortunately, there's not a practical option for relocating amp at present.  

@tvad:

Yes-- I found ads for both the Pass and the Coda for sale, used. As it happens, Coda is  located an hour's drive from me, in Sacramento. 

@newbee:

Listening chair is positioned 4 feet from back wall, which is actually a half-height wall, separating living room from dining room. 
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tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,007 posts
 
and worth moving chair just a whisker…nodes are where you find ( hear ) them….
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,033 posts
 
@stuartk I have front ported speakers. I’ve learned that the physics of bass is so room-dependent, that if pulling them out as far as you have doesn’t address the issue, the location of the speakers ports won’t matter. Bass radiates.

Listening position and speaker placement are the biggest levers. I solved my bass issues with a multi-front assault -- multiple subs, shift of positioning, and treatments. Given your specific situation -- and I’m heeding all your constraints -- what I would do is measure the room using a mic to see where the bass humps and nulls are, and then positioning things to try to mitigate. Keep in mind that various other things in the room which can be moved or shifted might change some of the bass response. A bit. The physics of bass is really quite obstinate.

A diagram or description of your room and dimensions would help.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,202 posts
 
Your speakers are very important in determining Bass control 
but your amplifier controls Everything,your power supplies and current on demand , my Coda amp for example has over 120 amps on demand ,and over 80k in capacitance and a Huge very 
low noise potted 3kva transformers very few amplifiers  out there can match this  even at Double the cost and doubles down in power to 2 ohms , and 40 output-bipolar transistors which is very substantial .
when you buy a amplifier ask questions and see what’s under the hood ,many have small power supplies and very limited current on demand,just compare -and made in USA 10 year warranty and Very reasonably priced vs the competition  and sounds Excellent !!
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