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  3. 1018489570

Change my AA front-end

I'm suspecting my AA digital gear may not be providing ALL the bass energy possible IMS. My buddie has the same Sonatina speakers and even on 6" granite platforms has better bass response. Of course, his room is smaller, but I believe his Theta transport and EVS dac are just that much better in the bottom-end. My gear> AA dds.pro transport / dtipro.32 (ad.3 ditter) jitter filter / ddev3.0 dac with Dusty Vawter's mod and Perpetual Technology op-amp upgrade / M.P.S. dedicated power supply for dde-dti. I'm using Audio Magic i2s mystic reference silver throughout. BMI Whale Elite power cords on dds.pro & M.P.S.

Not having sampled any other CDPs lately I'm interested in recommendations for a CDP (new or used) that would improve apon the AA gear and be purchased for what the AA could be sold for. I don't want to get into seperates or put anything into the upgrade. SACD is not an important consideration. I'm using a Moth s45 SET integrated amp with the Sonatinas and Shunyata Hydra PLC. The only areas I want to improve are bass weight and overall fullness to the presentation. I'm also looking into adding a tube preamp down the road. Thanks.
mwalsdor
hmm
18 posts
 
personally, i don't think the front end is your problem. i had the same front end driving a power amp direct with exactly the same problem. once i put an audible illusions tubed preamp in, all the fullness and bass suddenly appeared. i'd tend to blame it on the passive attenuator in your moth. hope this helps, harry
mwalsdor OP
94 posts
 
Thanks, I agree that is another avenue I'm looking into. But seeing my front-end is/has been the weakest link in the system I thought I might upgrade it first and THEN consider a tube preamp.
sean
6,229 posts
 
Out of curiosity, what kind of pre / amp is your buddy using ? Quite honestly, i would not expect phenomenal bottom end out of any SET amp. I will add that the Millennium's are VERY solid in terms of bass extension and weight, so that may be a factor. Sean
>
mwalsdor OP
94 posts
 
He is using a Theta basic II transport / Melos Gold preamp with nice tubes and lastest upgrades / AES Super amp with the Amperex EL34's. He is using some killer power cords but I've always noted the heavier bass from his Sonatinas than from mine, so its not the umbilicals or tubes or amp. I've heard about 4 different amps IHS also. Funny thing I'm using 24x12x4" polished granite platforms under my Sonatinas and he turns around a get 6" granite bases and he stills has better bass! That was one area that IMS the granite didn't help.
ben_campbell
1,164 posts
 
Personally I wouldn't change your AA front-end either,I'm not sure (although others will argue otherwise)that the new generation of DAC's,or new format players will really give you a justified improvement of the type you are looking for.
Ideally try to get a home demo of those players that you think will make a difference and decide if you get the sound you are searching for.
I was shocked to find that a MSB Link 3 Dac-with upsampling capability and dedicated power supply was nowhere near my Dtiv2/DDE3 in terms of presentation,weight and musicality.
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