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after TT upgrade, digital sounds like crap- help

I listen to mostly digital, and a bit of high quality 180g, 200g, etc vinyl. I upgraded my turntable, cartridge, and rack yesterday. I'm having a problem now in that my digital chain is sounding quite pale in comparison to some of my favorite vinyl. It's not sounding bad, just a bit cold, stale, hollow, etc in comparison. I'm not down with this at all.

I'm wondering if anyone may be able to suggest a method (maybe new piece of gear) to help fill out, warm up, etc my digital chain. The vinyl is just sounding wider, warmer, fuller. The stereo width difference on a lot of the stuff I listened to last night was quite dramatic.

My system is comprised of the following:

1. B&W 683's
2. McIntosh MA6300 (used as preamp, power amp, and phono stage)
3. Mac Mini and Sonos Connect running, Audirvana for hires, Spotify and MOG
4. Oppo BDP-105 (used as DAC for Mac Mini via USB and Sonos via coax)
5. Rega RP3 + Elys2
6. Audioquest cabling where it counts
radambe
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I fixed up my digital (CD only) to be 'as good' as my Lp sound by addingg a good 'tube buffer'.
I tried a cheap tube buffer and it was no better.. So Went big and bought a VAC Standard four tube preamp to use as a glorified tube buffer.
Used i paid $1,500 (for a preamp retail $4,000 with an added $1,000 in factory mods remote and better caps added)

The VAC Standard solved my digital issues.
I am now happy (several years on) with my solution.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
Let me guess, you don't treat CDs. Am I right?
jperry
1,408 posts
 
"Let me guess, you don't treat CDs. Am I right?"

Treat them to what?
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
4,382 posts
 
Ice cream, after they've played nice.
lindisfarne
507 posts
 
There is no cure. A "garage-sale" TT beats digital. So, very simply, stop trying to fix digital.
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