New DAC Not a Dramatic Improvement?

Tvad, as always the voice of terse reason and the bottom line. I think he's right, but I'm also in your camp and would scratch my head at the seeming inconsistency of cost/benefit. I ran into a similar experience recently where a recently bought PS1 (the one everyone's talking about) indeed was not significantly worse to my ears then my +$3k player. Really makes you crazy and wonder about the marketing engine behind it all.

IMO is if it doesn't sound right now, no cable, tweak or the like will change it dramatically enough in the right direction.

Markphd, to comment on your point compared to Newbee's earlier. Newbee nutshelled that the OP's system may not be good enough to hear differences, and/or that the differences are there and he just doesn't/can't appreciate them.

You state that the nature of the OP's question goes to the heart of what I read as the difference between an experienced listener and a non-experienced one. Your point about room treatments I won't argue with.

I think where many of us newer to the game (not impying the OP is a newbee) may think long time audiophiles are 'nuts' is the point of the OP's question -- that money spent is very real (and usually a lot) but the perceived improvement is nowhere near the level consistent with cost. To that end, we invariably ask ourselves "what am I supposed to be listening for, since any improvements or differences aren't immediately obvious?" Because what we reasonably think is – THE DIFFERENCE SHOULD BE OBVIOUS – and hopefully, system-willing, a very real improvement. If this doesn’t happen, the only logical course of action is to continue the feverish quest, thinking perhaps ANOTHER upgrade elsewhere in the system will give us the ah-ha moment. Reviewers and their lingo only add to the confusion, as I have never, ever been close to my jaw hitting the floor from any upgrade. Neither do comments like Newbee's, where for some reason he gets it and we don't, even though we may be listening to the same exact thing.

Seems to me audio can be many things to many people but with one goal -- to move one with the presentation of music. That a major equipment upgrade doesn't improve the sonics immediately and obviously is counter intuitive to what one reasonably expects to experience -- a major and immediate sonic upgrade. If it's about degrees, then I feel that there should be a disclaimer on all equipment packaging stating so, and/or we all need an Audio Appreciation 101 class before we get into this hobby so we know what to expect, what to look for, and more importantly what not to.

if there is a thread(s) on this I'd love a link to it as I realize this isn't really the thread for this discussion. Apologies to the OP, hope you're not mad at my post, though I have a feeling you can relate to it.

Or as has been mentioned earlier, sell the DAC and the Mac and buy a ~2k integrated and perhaps the MHDT.

Newbee, somehow you got upside down. The OP bought a $2k DAC, not transport. He's comparing the expensive DAC to his cheap Onkyo universal and not finding much difference.

THolt,

Maybe, but I do not know a good high current integrated for the Gallos that could do as well as the A3CR + pre-amp combo for that price?

Mapman, you don't think there's a powerful enough integrated to be had for $2000? I doubt that. At any rate, the OP has plenty of suggestions here.

That's not what Mapman wrote. Read his statement again more carefully.

It would be helpful if you would explain your comments more thoroughly. Enlighten me then if you would -- what is high current?

And I read that he didn't know a GOOD ENOUGH HIGH CURRENT INTEGRATED that would work as well as the combo. To which I then, and still, doubt. but im done splitting hairs.

Mapman, I understand what you're saying. No argument. I was just saying that its also possible to have an integrated work for that price just as well, and when you said you didn't know of a high powered enough one, i think that it's possible. I don't know of one either, but for $2k, there must be something. This was only suggested since the OP has an integrated and expressed wishing to stick with that route. I read you loud and clear.

Tvad, not sure how many posts you had to make to become unofficial Agon Fairy of All Points and Counterpoints Made, but it's obvious from this thread and the others I've read with your comments that you think pretty highly of yourself around here. Im wondering if you're this much of a cock in the real world.

Funny. Now you're not comprehending.