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

Showing 5 responses by mwalsdor

AA refers to the defunct Audio Alchemy. Isn't the SCD-1 Sonys top-of-the-line player? Like I said I wasn't looking for the best, just something better than my AA gear which is about 6 years old technology-wise. Thanks for taking the time.
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.
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.
What are you using with the dds.pro? Have you compared this front-end to anything a bit more current? I'll Email Dusty Vawters, he has a forum on http://www.HarmonicDiscord.com
Thanks for the ideas. Drf24> About the schematic, Dusty Vawters informed me that this information/parts list could be gotten from Pioneer Parts dept. directly Good Luck. As far as my price range, I want to limit that to what I could get out of my AA gear (see above+Audio Magic silver 12s cables)=$1000-1200?

Keeping this in mind what do you guys think of this idea. I get a Pioneer 440/444 cd/dvd player on Ebay for 'round $140-$250 then have Dan Wright tweak it to death (see his webpage), this would run between $200-400. Then I would use an out-board DAC, like the Bel Canto tubed dac which I can get used for $450-500. I'm inclined NOT to go the preamp route only because of the status of my front-end, that before I do another serious upgrade I should address THAT first. Whata think?