2. misc-audio
  3. 169510-13640

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
2,429 posts
 
@tvad:

"Perhaps you could take your speakers to him to be checked out, and while you’re there he could hook them up in his system, where he might still have Pass Labs. Worth a call"

Good idea!  
assetmgrsc
57 posts
 
@stuartk  I have read many of the responses before mine and although some seem helpful, I think that most miss the central point, which as I read your original post is BASS BLOOM. The two most important affectors of bass bloom are poor amp control (e.g. low damping factor) and speaker characteristics.  To improve those components you have to change something.  Just sticking with equipment that means either the amp or the speakers. 
       One possible out that would let you keep your existing components is the addition of one or two mini Subs.  Subs such as the new SVS 3000 micro ( $799 ) have gotten great reviews.  I personally own an SVS 2000 Pro and the addition of this unit to my Maggies ( MG-III ) has been lovely.  It is clean articulate and powerful and it lets the Maggies do what they do best.  The SVS has a neat phone App for customization of low pass filter and attenuation from your listening seat and they have a thirty day return policy.  Good luck.
stuartk OP
2,429 posts
 
@assetmgrsc:

Thanks. Unfortunately, I have very little room/flexibility for positioning for a sub. 

I could, however, upgrade my integrated. 
sandthemall
544 posts
 
I get the best bass at my listening position...but I get good and sometimes great bass almost everywhere in the room.

Sometimes I want to listen passively while my system is warming up...while reading.

I think it's most logical to get the room dialed in first.
erik_squires
15,884 posts
 
Given you have said no to any room treatment then what you most need is an EQ and/or room correction (which is an EQ with an algorithm).

All other equipment will PALE in comparison to what you can achieve with even a mediocre EQ, and I can't tell you how often people are astonished at the results. 

I recommend the miniDSP units, some of which have digital in/digital out (with bandwidth limits) or ROON if you want to measure and correct yourself.

Everything else is in the range of "what fuse should I buy" improvements.  Good luck with that approach.
More to discover