2. amps-preamps
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need advise, which is the weakest link in my audio chain

Hi all, i am new here and this is my first post.

need some opinion and advise, which gear do you think is the weakest link that i should improve/change.

i wish to have sweet sound and detail but not fatiguing

my experience on current setup not really meet my preference  :-

- a bit forward sound 

- sometime may a little dry/harsh sounding when source recording is poor

- lack of sweet top end

pre amp - bryston bp6

power amp - lexicon nt-212 (same as bryston 3bst)

speaker - spendor sp1 

cd player - marantz cd6006

dac - rega dac

tuner - yamaha t1 & sony st-sa5es

sorry for my poor english.

thank you.

128x128nagasakti70
carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,704 posts
 

I'd say DAC is your weak spot.  The DAC is the heard of the digital system.  In your cord discussion you said the DAC is not in use.  So you are using the DAC in he CD player to convert to analog.  Not high end.  Tuners are not so good.  I guess you aren't streaming.  So I don't see how you are delivering a high quality signal to your system.

Jerry

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@nagasakti70 

seems like i should borrow any power amp from friends to try out

I think it’s a very reasonable first step to try borrowed amplifiers and listen for differences you might hear. It would certainly provide some meaningful feedback on what your Bryston amplifier is sonically imparting.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

No doubt that the DAC is (Actually any signal chain component) an important contributor to the overall sound quality and character. However, given @soix comments above, the Bryston amplifier is worthy of suspicion.

Charles

larryi
4,057 posts
 

I would suspect that you would prefer a warmer sounding amp.  Even if your speakers are not that efficient, in a small room you should be able to utilize a tube amp of modest power output.  I think something that runs EL84 tubes, or 6L6, or KT 66 tubes would sound good.  These are nice sounding tubes that can deliver warmth without sounding murky or too polite and lifeless.

I personally find that the amp makes a huge difference in the sound, much more so than the choice of linestage or source components (assuming these are decent choices).  

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,290 posts
 

Lots of good advice above…

I would add few things to try:

1. This will cost nothing: Swap diffusion and absorption panels - place the absorbers on side walls and diffusers behind speakers. If possible. Reason - room is most likely too small to make effective use of diffusers at the first reflection points. 
2. Not familiar with you amplifier and pre, but I would try another amp and if possible another preamp with it. 
3. I had the CD6006 it’s not a bad player but it isn’t as good as you can make it sound by adding a good dac. I agree with others here.

 

Just my thoughts 
 

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