2. amps-preamps
  3. 1243526709

next step for my setup? advice appreciated

Hello,

I've been on an audiophile quest for the last 2 years and I'm at a standstill and would like advice as to my next piece of equipment. Here is a summary of my journey so far:

I started with a Yamaha Surround receiver through Boston Acoustics bookshelf speakers (CR77) with a Sony multi DVD player.

I've ended with older Rotel separates (RB980bx amp, RSP980 processor running 2.1 channel analog.) Oppo 980 dvd player for cds and movies, also itunes into airport express. Speakers are GR Research DIY kit (AV2) and a 10" canadian sub, the brand name escaping me currently.

I'm very happy with the sound and with the bang for the buck, but you know, grass is greener etc, so here are my questions:

-- would a tube buffer between pre and amp help? I see the Yaqin is fairly inexpensive, but also read diverse opinions.

-- how about a tube DAC? Would this vastly improve the Oppo and Itunes? Both are currently analog into the Rotel.

down the road, I'd like to explore tube amplification, but for now I'm considering building my own DAC or trying a tube buffer.

any thoughts appreciated

thanks

Steve Cuss

Obviously, the sound quality is up several notches now and I'm very happy
stevecuss
richlane
167 posts
 
I think you're on that right track by investing some money into a DAC, a tubed DAC or any DAC for that matter will make vast improvements in your system.

I must admit that I'm not familiar with your brand of DIY Speakers, but if you're happy with them, then it's a non-issue, but this may be another area that I would focus on. You may want to consider a more refined speaker, an older pair of Sonus Faber comes to mind, I've always felt that they match really well with Rotel.

I think your good with the Rotel Separates for now, as I've always enjoyed their sound as well.

Let the journey continue....

markwatkiss
476 posts
 
Pass on the tube buffer,it's just another link in the chain,spend the money on a DAC.
stevecuss OP
35 posts
 
Hi Guys,

thanks very much for the input. As a guitarist, I'm very interested in going tube somehow, but don't have the budget for it.

My budget is sub $500 and I'm a DIYer, so I'm happy to build my own DAC or even attempt a preamp.

Jylee: so you're suggesting I can add a tube pre to the pro and run them separately? I assume I'd have to reconfigure how my sub is setup. (My processor sends out an LFE signal just to the sub.)

As for the GR Research speakers, I'm very happy with them and would only upgrade them to a higher end GR Research. People make very bold claims about this kit, but having built them and compared them to paradigm studios and B&W Cms, I think the claims are valid. All that to say, I'm very happy with them.

Thanks again for the input. I'll explore building a Tube DAC or researching tube pre or power amp

thanks

Steve
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I believe that the weak link is your DVD/CD player. First, I really don't see that there is an advantage to a tube DAC in this price range over a SS DAC, and I am a tube guy. There are much more important performance features to a DAC at this price than tube or SS. But really, why increase complexity, and jitter, for that matter? Why not just sell the OPPO and get a really good DVD/CD player? The Denon 3910 comes to mind, which was recently a two grand unit that is now selling within your price range. No digital cable, no added jitter, no two boxes, and it will make your regular DVDs look better as well as drastically improving your audio. If you are sold on the DAC idea, I think that busting the budget a bit to get a Benchmark DAC1 would be a real step up.
jylee
306 posts
 
Yes, I think a tube preamp will go a long way. Your Oppo will also go a long way. You can integrate stereo preamp to your processor. You'll need HT bypass output from the preamp. Integrating with subwoofer can be done as well. If the sub has dual input, you can connect one from LFE output of processor and one from right channel of the preamp.
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