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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
3,508 posts
 
@kymanor1:

What amp would you suggest?

I've spoken to Jeff Wells who said the bass performance of my majestic could be improved via upgrades. 

@Hilde456:

Thanks for the suggestion. I see there are currently 4 for sale used for $1750.  Even if I could find another 4 for the same price, that's $3500. I can see putting that sum towards a new amp but am (justifiably or not) resistant to spending that kind of money on footers. 
jas
26 posts
 
I was also in the hunt for improved bass SQ. But separately, I wanted to change out three plugs on power chords while shortening their length, so I checked around the forums and selected plugs from Cardas, Neotec and Furutech, all "moderately" priced (for audio stuff).
Result: noticeably improved bass, deeper, clearer notes and less general bass thump. Sometimes, small things just work out. 
tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,276 posts
 
@stuartk     

I don't know if one would consider it a "component", but a distributed bass array or "swarm" will solve 90+% your bass issues without requiring any bass traps or room treatment. 
stuartk OP
3,508 posts
 
@jas:

My plugs are all Furutech

@tony1954:

Thanks. Millercarbon suggested the same and it definitely seems the best way to go. We plan on moving in about 5 years and at that point, I'll have  a room dedicated to audio that WILL include a Swarm. For now, however, with my system in our living room, I can see no way to fit all those cabinets into the room. I don't have room for the required amp, either. 

Having Wells Audio upgrade my Majestic integrated or replacing it with another integrated is a more do-able possibility, for the present. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,445 posts
 
@aubreybobb Will check it out. Thanks!
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