Where do I go from here? New audiophile!

[Mythy]

Hey everyone! First let me say hi I'm new to audio for the most part, I've gotten hooked with a Pair of LCD-2's from there my obsession has grown.

I have the following setup PC Tidal>Audeze Deckard>Emotiva A-300>SVS Ultra Bookshelfs

I have been looking to improve my setup for months, I have read so many reviews, threads and comments my mind is scrambled. I need help Currently I'd say my system sounds cold but very dynamic. I don't hear the speakers the sound seems to come from the center of my listening space so I guess that's good imaging lol With any volume level under 11 O'clock on my DACs volume control everything sounds dull and lifeless so thats one issue. Secondly unless it's some form of dubstep or rap everything sounds cold and meh. With that said it still blows my Klipsch reference 28's out of the water in my living room haha

I'm thinking maybe a RME-ADI 2 Dac, a Rotel RB-1552 MkII amp and a SVS SB-2000 Sub. Other options is a Chord Quetest dac a Parasound 23 amp. Maybe a used McIntosh MHA-100 and call it done? That makes me wonder tho is 50W RMS enough? I love the sound signature from McIntosh tho... IDK guys I need help and I cant demo anything with these speakers so I been trying to go off of others recommendations. Many say the Deckard I have is warm but I'm not feeling it. I have some scratchy treble happening from time to time but the bass is punchy and dynamic. I just need some direction please! Looking for used gear each component I can muster a Grand for.

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

[Shadowfax]

Welcome aboard

I just looked at each of your listed components and by paper, the setup should sound decent.
Have you tried playing a CD or FLAC file instead of Tidal?
Have you tried moving the speakers a bit, less toe in and away from the wall a little? They are rear ported so need to be away from the wall a little more than your pic. (I have a similar situation with Dynaudio 42s in my Office system)

[Mr Peabody]

Welcome to AS.

From your description sounds like something may be causing some distortion, overdriven, to cause the tweeter noise. I'm not familiar with what you are driving the speakers with.

[Andik777]

Welcome to the forum

[KrazyK]

Welcome. I'm relatively new too and trying to get back into the hobby. I'm unfamiliar with a lot of the gear you mention - but these guys on here know their stuff so I'm sure they can help. Am reading this interest. Looking to get a decent home DAC for my set-up.

[AJ Soundfield]

The spiral is usually downward. Welcome.

[UltraFast69]

The spiral is usually downward. Welcome.

But your sounding good


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Phil A]

Welcome!

[AJ Soundfield]

Mythy, by far the biggest improvement you could make, without dropping a dime, is moving the speakers forward, out close to the front edge of desk as possible. With the Audenze and 150w/ch, your current front end is by no means a limitation to the soundwaves/perceived soundfield.
If you're going to spend $$ for physically improved sound, consider dual subs and some way to bass manage, at very least a high pass filter at 50-80hz (depending on how loud/what material) on the bookshelfs. That would clean things up.
Where you sit vs the rest of room is important also.

cheers,

AJ

[Mechnutt]

Welcome to AS.

Consider a warmer and musical DAC like a used Chord Hugo, 2Qute which is the Hugo minus the headphone amp. The Chord Qutest is supposed to be very good based on reviews. My son might be buying one. I would look at something else besides the A23. Maybe PS Audio M700's or the cheaper S300 stereo amp which would be on par as far as price wise with the A23.

What usb cable and IC's are you using?

[MikeCh]

The spiral is usually downward. Welcome.

Says Trent Reznor..

Welcome to AS!

[Randy Myers]

There are many good companies that have built a reputation of building high quality gear. NuPrime, for example, Benchmark is another that make very good gear and some highly rated DACs.

One of my favorites is Wyred 4 Sound who build their award winning equipment in the US. Unlike some companies, they actually build their own cases, populate their own circuit boards, etc., and then back their gear with full 5 year warranties. Not bad for a small United States company competing on the world stage. Wyred is headed by a young man who has been called the boy wonder genius of audio design by more than one audio critique. His name is EJ Sarmento. He began designing for PS Audio and others when he was a teenager. He started Wyred 4 Sound when he was 22 some dozen years or so ago now.

[bluegrassphile]

Welcome! I'm in the same boat as you. We have some things in common...I have two SVS HT systems and I've returned to high end audio after about a 40 year absence. One thing I've learned about this forum is how dumb I am and how smart people are here. Many of the participants here are highly knowledgeable about electronics in general. There are even some EEs, physicists, and PhDs in electronics and computer related subjects here. On the ladder of electronics knowledge I'm below
the first rung and many here are beyond the 100th+ story.

My interest in high end audio was rekindled in earnest about last March and started with a visit to an audio store. I auditioned McIntosh (don't recall which model) and Audio Research (VSi75) amps along with Revel, B&W, and JBL speakers. That's all it took to rekindle the fire.

If there is one piece of advice I'd give you it would be to take your time in making decisions about audio components. I can't tell you how many times I've changed my mind about what brands and models I wanted for my new system. Each time I was sure that's what I wanted. I've still not decided. Next month I'll be making a trip to Suncoast Audio to audition several amps and make final decisions on the remainder of my system components.

I've been retired for four years and can't wait to make my final purchases. I'll be paying for my system with some pension money and, for tax purposes, have had to spread my purchases over two years. Therefore, I'll make the actual final purchases of my system in January. It's been a long wait and I've had to be very patient. But the wait has been a blessing in disguise. It has allowed me much more time to research what I want. I am so glad I didn't make my purchases last March based on almost no research and one live audition. There are so many great brands to research I would have always wondered "what if"? Once I make those final decisions next month the wait will just be three more months. Just in time for my birthday.

I know you're preferring to buy used. But, once again, take your time. There are always good deals to be had. But resist the urge to purchase the first thing that piques your interest unless you're sure it's what you really want. Like I said, I've changed my mind countless times over a seven month span (so far). And each time I thought I was sure that's what I wanted. I'm now able to narrow my focus and be confident of the brands and models I'm considering. All I need to do now is the listening test. Buying used, you may/may not have the opportunity to audition your components. If there is any way you can swing it, do a live audition. You won't be sorry. I finally, after strong advice from the highly knowledgeable people of this forum, "bit the bullet" and booked a weekend flight to Sarasota to audition the components I'm interested in. Although it's a bit expensive I know it will be money well spent, not to mention fun.

One final bit of advice...try to keep an open mind. Many times I've ignored some brands or models of components without even considering some very fine names in audio gear only to find out they were one of the highest choices of experienced audiophiles. There was a time when I wanted only a tube amp. Now, after considerable research based on features, specs, and characteristics only, I favor SS amps. However, I will certainly consider a tube amp if it turns my ear next month.

Anyway, that's my two cents worth. Take it with a grain of salt. Listen to the people on this and other forums. They can be very helpful. You might occasionally run into an insecure person who wants to feed their ego at your expense. But that's definitely the exception. You can still learn from them. I've learned a LOT from the people here. They're a good bunch and have been tremendously helpful to me.

[Prashell]

Mythy, by far the biggest improvement you could make, without dropping a dime, is moving the speakers forward, out close to the front edge of desk as possible. With the Audenze and 150w/ch, your current front end is by no means a limitation to the soundwaves/perceived soundfield.
If you're going to spend $$ for physically improved sound, consider dual subs and some way to bass manage, at very least a high pass filter at 50-80hz (depending on how loud/what material) on the bookshelfs. That would clean things up.

Many speakers can out perform subwoofers and integrate much better with the mids and tweeters. Why ? because they are woofers,designed to run from the lowest octaves up to frequencies your crappy sub could never reach,giving better harmonious integration with upper bass frequencies.
High passing speakers already tells me that you are running a compromise. Sounds like a typical AV surround sound system
Needing extra headroom for your receiver = compromise
Placement of speakers is a bunch of bull crap , simply bi amp or use a active crossover lets me smooth out the bass as well or better.

[AJ Soundfield]

Does AJ Soundfield post around here? I was told he knows a lot about measurements.

[Prashell]

I see you didn't refute a single thing I said.

[AJ Soundfield]

Thanks AJ. I frequent a number of forums and they almost seem to have a hive mind mentality that AVR's are crap for music and are flawed beyond measure. I've used AVR's for years and thought they sounded pretty good to me.
High passing speakers already tells me that you are running a compromise. Sounds like a typical AV surround sound system
Needing extra headroom for your receiver = compromise

https://www.audioshark.org/showthrea...l=1#post247252

https://www.audioshark.org/search.php?searchid=3547597

[Prashell]

https://www.audioshark.org/showthrea...l=1#post247252

https://www.audioshark.org/search.php?searchid=3547597

So I'm not allowed to change my mind? I find it funny that you put in the time to go through my history, you must be very bored.