Improving overall sound

LitoZacky
LitoZacky Posts: 115
edited August 2010 in Troubleshooting
Pre/Pro - Pioneer VSX-21
Amp - Emo XPA-2
Speakers - LSi15
Speaker cables - AQ type 4 / Emo X-series RCA

Sold a dedicated soundcard a few weeks back and now I am using my computer's motherboard as a source playing flac files with foobar/mediamonkey. My highest priority is to get a warmer sound. I am looking for suggestion on what I should change or buy.

Soundcard: I am thinking of buying "Asus Xonar Essence ST"
DAC: Musical Fidelity V-DAC
CD Player: I don't really like the idea of stacking so many cds, Would it give a dramatic improvement ?
Speaker: LSi 15
Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
TV: Samsung PN50B550
DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
Post edited by LitoZacky on
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Comments

  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited August 2010
    Warmth and the most dramatic differences will be noticed with different amps and preamps. Try some offerings from parasound, B&K, Carver, or Sunfire. All can be had at bargain prices if you're ok with used/demo gear.

    Neither Emo or Pioneer are known for their warmth.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    edited August 2010
    ....add to that your using your computer as the source,how could it not be bright?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited August 2010
    My personal experiences in comparing tube to solid state gear tells me I would never have a system without tubes (somewhere in the system) again - I don't think I would like them everywhere either, but who knows - haven't tried...yet.

    It'll be interesting to see what other polkies say, but I would look at a tube DAC to give you the warmth you are looking for, and it will also add smoothness, air, and a liquidness that really takes the edge off digital.
    ..... ><////(*>
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  • LitoZacky
    LitoZacky Posts: 115
    edited August 2010
    No wonder it is so bright when I play the receiver in "pure direct" mode. i had to turn down the treble to -3db. What are you guys suggesting for a source ?
    Speaker: LSi 15
    Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
    Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
    TV: Samsung PN50B550
    DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited August 2010
    fishbones wrote: »
    My personal experiences in comparing tube to solid state gear tells me I would never have a system without tubes (somewhere in the system) again - I don't think I would like them everywhere either, but who knows - haven't tried...yet.

    It'll be interesting to see what other polkies say, but I would look at a tube DAC to give you the warmth you are looking for, and it will also add smoothness, air, and a liquidness that really takes the edge off digital.

    +1. I agree with fish. A tube Dac does exactly that in my system
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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