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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
tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,281 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
3,518 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
5,452 posts
 
@aubreybobb Will check it out. Thanks!
stuartk OP
3,518 posts
 
@tvad:

"You might call Peter and ask him about using Symposium platforms between your speakers and target stands"

As I mentioned, Peter stipulates there should be no spike or other footer under speaker stands when using Symposium shelves under monitors. I finally got around to removing the Herbie's Gliders from under my stands this afternoon and put the shelves back under the Silverlines. Better!  I can actually follow bass-lines, now and there's an overall improvement in the sense of ease or flow of music. 

This may be enough to get me through until we move from this house and I'm able to have a dedicated, Swarm-equipped, audio room. We'll see. 

geof3
1,129 posts
 
Given your options are so limited, you might need to go the DSP or equalizer route. I know the latter is a blasphemous thing on Agon, but given few options might be the ticket to helping with the limits of your situation. Usually, moving a speaker closer to a wall is a no go, but it does reinforce bass potentially. Given you cannot optimize your room etc, you can’t have the perfect situation anyway. It might be worth trying something unusual to see if you can gain something you can live with in the interim.
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