Power Amp or DAC - weakest link, help please?


Hi all :)

I'm in one of those unenviable situations where I'd like to improve my sound but, I can only really afford to upgrade one component - my power amp or my DAC.

My system is a little laid back and I'd like it to be a bit more dynamic and kick-butt.

System:

Meridian 800 V4 Transport

Meridian 861v8 AV Preamp/DAC (the DAC inside is the same as the 818v2 processor or 808v5 cd player, if these are more familiar to readers).

Amplifiers (I own the following): Anthem P2, Bryston 4BSST, Proceed BPA.  Noting my desire for musicality and less-warmth, of these, I probably prefer the Anthem the most in terms of its current tonal "match", with the rest of my my gear.

Speakers:  Audio Physic Tempo III (from the early 2000's).

Cabling:  Wireworld Platinum/Silver Eclipse.

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Can people see an obvious weak link above?  

So I have the chance to buy Meridian's top DAC (Meridian Ultra) very cheap. 

OR:

I could find a better power amplifier.  Simaudio 5.3SE or W7RS are available used, not far from me.  A better Bryston, umm.. not so sure about - 4BSST above is good but, lacks musicality in my system and to my ears sounds quite dry and a bit sterile - would the bigger Brystons solve this ?  Pass I have never heard but I might be able to get a 150.8.  Or Krell FPB 200 but I have heard this can be quite rolled off in the treble? - last thing I want, if avoidable. I've heard the FPB600 is a killer but haven't seen one available in years.

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As stated further above, I'd like my sound to be less laid back and a bit more kick-butt and in your face dynamic. 

Option #1 Meridian Ultra DAC above has a volume control so would remove my preamp from the equation - entirely.  Reviews of the Meridian Ultra DAC seem to say it is dynamic and lively, but it is expensive enough that if I bought this I could not afford anything else, no amp, nothing.

Or, is my existing DAC ok and, should I just blow my whole budget on a better power amp (examples above?)

From reading, I don't think my old Audio Physic speakers are difficult to drive.  So, is a bigger more powerful monster amp going to help me?  Or should I be more focussed on a different brand than what I currently own. (Used options listed above) - do I need quality rather than huge watts?

I've tried a lot of other highly regarded speakers in my system.  I still curiously love these old Audio Physic Tempo's the most, and keep sticking with them.  Thought about a pair of old Revel Studio I's available close by, to match with my Proceed/Levinson (same company) but lack of parts for Revel these days makes me worry about buying as they're still quite expensive - this aside, could these be a solution?

Thanks for any advice !

Andrew 

 

 

 

 

rippingtonblue

Great point audiotroy!  I forgot that the 861 digitizes all inputs.  You may want to consider a preamp that keeps the analog output of the DAC in the analog domain.

Thanks guys :). 

Unfortunately I don't have an ability to audition the Ultra DAC before purchase.

Neglected to advise my system is integrated home theatre/2ch, thus my (home theatre) Meridian 800v4 DVD/CD player and AV Pre/DAC.  The result being I'm kind of tied to these.  But:

I agree with your post above :  to avoid warmth my solution probably should be to just buy a completely different cd player.  Everything starting at the source..

Thanks

Andrew 

 

The fear is that even if you change the CD player - the analog output will still get converted back to a digital signal before being converted back to an analog signal by the 861.  Even if you use the direct setting - I forgot what that was called when I had an 861- it still may alter the sound from your new CD player.  Definetly audition a few options to see if the change is worth the investment!

I have listened recently to both a Bryston and a Benchmark amp. I have stopped thinking about the DAC's importance so much and have come to think that the amp-speaker combo is where the magic happens, especially if the DAC is sufficiently good.

Given your stated musical pref's, I would consider a Benchmark AHB2.