choose a DAC to complete my system



acoustic zen silver reference ii XLR interconnect
Cardas Clear speaker cable
wireworld platinum usb cable
Focal Electra 1038 be II
Pass labs X350.5
Pass labs Xp10 pre
Oppo BDP-105
PC computer

i'm not happy about the sound i'm getting
i'm not sure why.
maybe it's better to replace the PRE ?
maybe to get Apple computer to replace the PC?

for DAC i though about one of those:
Luxman DA-06 (Japan model cost $3000 but i don't know if it will work in the US? Japan using 100V
Meitner Audio MA-1 , found 6 month old.

or other models?

Thanks
pelo911
Huge +1 for Onhwy61. Your photos indicate possible major problems with speaker setup and room placement. There seems to be a large difference in the space behind your left vs.right speaker, with the right in front of a large void under a staircase? Differential reflection and node cancellation from this could in itself be enough to explain your absence of bass and also soundstage. Other improvements would result from : moving cluster of gear away from current location between your speakers, or moving your speakers further out into the room.

Please consider investing in a great setup reference, such as Jim Smith's
classic "Get Better Sound" (www.getbettersound.com) and follow its tenets. You will be amazed at the difference. You already have some excellent gear, and no costly upgrades will make nearly as much difference as a proper setup.
i listen to Sting live in Berlin BlueRay from the OPPO

sound great !!!
i guess my problem is when i play music from the computer.

on the CES show
the plug the Focal 1038 to Devialet D-Premier and Crystal Cable and play music from ipad (not sure how)
it was much much better then the sound i'm getting.
"The reason that I mentioned trying a different cable is that every time I put a silver cable between an amp and preamp, I don't like it."

That is because you are buying the wrong cables. The silver metallurgy and care in assembly is critical. Most silver cables have broken crystal lattice, so they sound harsh. I used to manufacture and sell silver cables.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
OnHwy61 is absolutely spot-on, your speaker placement is your real problem. That and the multitude of hard, reflecting surfaces in your room. You should not spend another dime on gear until you get your speakers/room tamed...

-RW-
i'm moving to a new house soon
then i will place everything like i want to (and need to)

today i got a very good offer for Scala Utopia
i can sell my 1038.

do you think it's a good upgrade?
my AMP and pre are good match to the Scala?