Can a DAC sort out a flat\cold amp?

Since you insist here's an Image of the setup. I was hoping to avoid that 😱 because as you can see this is a pretty unaesthetic room with all those cables.

the speakers are Dali concept 6 which are due for an upgrade but was postponed because of the lack of bass issue which I want to resolve first before continue to upgrade. I was thinking to get monitor audio silver 500 7g at first but in light of this amp performance I think I'll have to settle for bookshelf.

now I'm thinking that if this amp did not upgrade the sound of my old dalis may be it's not a good idea to build the new system around it. there are a lot of compromises here. right now the upgrade path will likely be a DAC & then i had my eyes on the buchardt s400 mk2. the amp will have to go at some point & i still regret buying it over the m5si\m6si but that's water under the bridge.

MHDT Tube R2R Dac sweet sound

@chayro

Loki Mini is $165+ delivered plus tax, <$175 for silver.

It's like a bandaid when you really need a tourniquet.

You will bleed out as long as that PC is in there.

My take is that the Topping D10s for $93.49 delivered will blow out that Scarlett. I have both.

OP, please do not feel self conscious about the state of your room. Most of us constantly have rooms in a state of flux.

The photo is incredibly revealing… sonically. First, move the PC away from the integrated. PCs are really noisy and you can pick up all sorts of it being that close.

Second, the speaker positions look really compromised. With that much bare wall… and the speakers that close to the wall you are likely reinforcing the treble and probably compromising the bass. The window may not be helpful as well.

Before buying anything I would start working with what you have. The thing that is immediately obvious is the setup is a big problem. Do you have options? Do you have a location where you could build a six foot triangle between your speakers an your sitting location with space behind and on sides? Could you have one side of the room for your workstation and the other your system?

Even if not permanent, I would try to build your system in the triangle… without walls so close behind and sides… then dampen the back and side walls where reflections. Then toe in on the speakers. See what it is capable of.

I have a setup in my office like yours… it sounds fantastic. It uses tiny Totem Mite speakers (10” high and 7” wide) and a small subwoofer (all in beautiful wood. 

I read an online review that described the 1200’s bass performance a somewhat lean combined with forward mid’s/high’s, but didn’t search for other reviews.

Have you tried the tone controls (either backing off on treble or adding bass (didn’t see a tone control defeat in the pics)?

Don’t know if makes a difference, but per the pic the power supply of your CPU is really close to the bottom of the 1200 (assuming that it and the fan are located @ the top/back of the CPU).

Unless your current DAC is very thin sounding/bass shy I can’t imagine another DAC remedying your situation much - if @ all.

Can you try an inexpensive, but decent subwoofer (maybe borrow one)?

DeKay