Advice from members


I have just started putting my first system together and have been enjoying it for about 6 months or so and am starting to research what I should upgrade in the current system next. I am looking to improve both clarity and soundstage. This is what I am currently running, the biggest and most noticable difference to date has come with the introduction of room correction via the Dspeaker Dual Core. Here is the current setup. I am debating on simplifying by going to a all in one solution like a Anthem STR integrated OR introducing a higher quality DAC into the current system:
  • Source: Innuos Music Server (MINI MK2) running Roon server and being used as a player
  • DAC/Preamp/Room Correction - Antimode Dual Core. - To leverage the best input on the dual core I am using a Musical Fidelity VLINK USB to SPDIF (24/96) converter
  • AMP - Using a Jolida 1501P Hybrid AMP
  • Speakers - ELAC Unifi UF5 Floor Standing with a ORB Audio 200 watt Sub that is corrected via the Dual Core.
I am wondering what the weakest link the chain is and the one I should look at upgrading next.
Many thanks in advance, looking forward to everyones feedback.
palakapatel

Showing 7 responses by palakapatel

Willemj - Thanks for the response.  The reason I am using the SPDIF (optical) over the usb is because the USB on the dspeaker is limited 24/48 where as the SPDIF goes upto 24/96.  The US distributor has also suggested that the best sounding and performing input is indeed the SPDIF, something I was able to confirm after a series of A/B tests.  
@rbstehno - What are you using for speakers/amp?
@Jafant - I will keep you posted on the anthem.  There is a dealer in my area that might let me bring home to audition.  The one thing I see that is missing on the STR is a lack of MQA support.
Thanks everyone for the insight and advice.  Awesome to have a forum like this to bounce around ideas and learn from people’s experience.

@randy-11, other thank a large rug and a bunch of bean bags I haven’t gotten too far with treatments.  For source material I have a decent collection of redbook material as well as a goo number of 24/96 recordings and can play MQA via tidal, which gets downsamed to 24/96, or lower depending on recording.

@rbstehno - the innuos I just added has an Ethernet output that is dedicated for a streamer, so adding a dedicated streamer could be an option.  I was trying to keep things simple with the server and player all being one unit.  Another option I was considering, along the lines of your suggestion, was to ditch the dual core for DAC/preamp, and use something like a mytek Brooklyn (has dsd and MQA) and only use the dual core after the new DAC converts to analog.  

Does anyone have any experience with linear power supplies (would use with dual core) and/or the wyred4sound remedy clock?

Thanks again all!!
Thanks again everyone.  Given that I have tackled the room with the dual core and the room correction upto 500hz, does room correction still play a large role?  The introduction of room correction made a HUGE difference in improving soundstage and cleaning up (tightening) bass response
@willemj - with the current dual core I have I was able to run a advanced correction all the way upto 500hz...
Yes I use the mains and sub in one correction.  What I am after is greater clarity without the sound sounding too harsh, which is the case when I increase the highs(treble), and looking for the mids to sound less muddy.