For Those Who Are Unaware of The Cable Company

@lalitk 

Yes; major room constraints and yes, passion for music, too. 

At this point, my focus is "good enough" when it comes to sonics.

Emotional and physical engagement are most important to me. 

Any hint of fatigue or sibilance immediately takes away my desire to listen. As do dry mids and sloppy bass.  If the system sounds "slow", my body won’t fully be on board. 

I’ve learned the above through making mistakes. 

Down the road, I’d like to try some different speakers and try an outboard DAC, again. The Hegel and it’s onboard AKM DAC are a little rolled off on top and I’d like to see whether I could get a bit more extension without opening the door to fatigue/sibilance. My previous Aqua La Voce DAC (burr brown) yielded better bass but the upper mids were fatiguing. I just upgraded ac cables, which restored much of the bass. As you know, it’s an ongoing balancing act. 

Anyway, that’s my story, in a nut-shell. Thanks for your encouragement

@stuartk 

You just described the very traits my audio system embodies and deliver in spades. It’s just not the tonal beauty we seek to create, we also need equal parts coherence, immediacy, and physicality without any listening fatigue.

As far as DAC, look into LTA Aero DAC. Based on your preferences, it may be the piece you’re missing.

Good luck with your journey! 

@lalitk 

You just described the very traits my audio system embodies and deliver in spades.

Ah, well, maybe I’m heading in the right direction, then!  

I was actually considering that Aero DAC but the descriptions of its tone emphasizing upper mids and highs gave me pause. Instead, I bought a used Mojo Mystique XSE, which sounded very dull in my system. I’ve always believed I favor a warm sound but this  experience made me realize one can have too much of a good thing. I returned the Mojo and instead, focused on improving bass for this upgrade cycle. In hindsight, the Aero might’ve worked really well. I shall keep it in mind for the future. 

@stuartk 

You just never know until you try a component in your system. I believe LTA offers 15 days trial. Whenever you’re ready, give it a try. There are just way too many choices in this category and I’m certain you will find the ‘ONE’ that check all the boxes! 

@lalitk 

You just never know until you try a component in your system

Experience has proven this to be true! 

There are just way too many choices in this category 

True, again!