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More expensive DAC the answer?

I am still trying to get a decent sound quality out of my system. Currently I am running an Audio Engine DAC and not really happy with sound quality. Would investing in a more robust DAC be of benefit?
mfdamon
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
30' x 30' room. You really need to dampen the room with acoustic treatments. There may be reflections off the walls and ceiling.

<The sound is distortion... and a kinda hollow sound.>

Try the "slap echo" test. Stand in the center of the room and clap your hands once, listen for an echo.

bigwave1's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
bigwave1
18 posts
 
mfdamon,
maybe feed your integrated a descent analog source. Will quickly show you if you have a fork in the road. 
musicloversaudio's avatar
musicloversaudio
14 posts
 
The Klipsch are never going to sound great. It sounds like you are describing the honk that horns always have. Try some Paradigms, at whatever price point you can swing.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

IMO, your weak link is your digital source.  This is just as important as the speakers and their placement.

I would not expect miracles from a $169 DAC and a cheap transport by itself. Time to upgrade if you want to get better SQ. Expect to spend $1K for a decent DAC and keep the transport, but change to a good BNC S/PDIF coax cable with RCA adapters and add a reclocker between the transport and DAC.

I would not mess with acoustics until you do these things. Only then will you achieve a focused stereo image with vocalists not being 2 feet wide.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
I agree that you should start at the source. The distortion you speak of may really be jitter from the DAC presenting as harshness thru the speakers.

Additionally, as I stated above, a hollow sound may indicate that you need acoustic treatment added to your room.
Without any treatment, soundwaves carrying the frequency spectrum, IOW bass, midrange, highs are not being directed to your listening position.

The room is a major factor in reproducing audio. But your primary upgrade should be the DAC/transport digital chain.

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