2. amps-preamps
  3. 1403859541

Upgrade advice needed

Let me tell you my story.

Piece by piece, I've been gradually building an audiophile quality system.

My system is a Toshiba Laptop w/ J River playing FLAC files into a Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2. The laptop is dedicated exclusively as a music server. I've stripped most of the background processes from the Laptop and disconnected from the internet. The only external connections are the USB line to the DAC and a Mouse connected by the other USB connector

I don't have a preamp, the W4S DAC has onboard volume control.

I'm using a NAD 356 BEE Integrated amp but bypassing the preamp module and routing the DAC input directly to the power amp. The speakers are Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grands. I use LAT International SS-800 MkII 6 ft speaker cords and Pangea AC-14, 14 Gauge after market power cords for the NAD amp and the DAC. I installed Albert Porter Outlets. I do not have any power conditioners.

I live in an apartment so room treatments and dedicated circuit wires are out.

Musical tastes are primarily chamber music and some classic jazz of 1950s and 60s.

I listen near field - 6 feet from speakers and prefer moderate volume. I don't have much interest in Home theater or television in general.

My biggest source of frustration is the reproduction of violins and pianos. I recently ripped a CD of Bachs Violin Sonatas by Arthur Grumiaux. The sound is so harsh a cannot listen for more then 10 minutes.

My issue with pianos is the percussive aspect of the instrument seems to overwhelm the musical tone. I have a collection of Chopin Polonaises and it sounds like the artist is playing the piano keys with a hammer.

Other instruments sound better -- Cellos, brass, woodwinds, vocals.

I'm wondering what the next step in my upgrade evolution should be. I been intrigued by the First Watt line of amps. They seem to be a good fit for me. But, I don't know, will that address my issues with violins?

I could spend up to 5K now and, perhaps a year from now, I could swing another 5K for the next component

I'd welcome any suggestions.
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Showing 1 response by ctsooner

ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
there are so many things you can do. Since none of us are there it's impossible for any of us to fully know what to do. PUtting a real pre back into the equation makes more sense starting than most anything other than checking your room and placement. Personally, I'd go and buy a turntable for the type of music you listen to. Not to be a jerk, but your amplification has maxed out. That's the reality. SUre, they are fine to start off with, but as you see there are too many trade offs with the NAD or the Wyre gear. I was running the NAD on Proac Super towers with top of the line MIT gear, because I was told that I had to get remote into my system as I was using Quicksilver silver monos and full function Quick pre. The tubes sounded awesome and the NAD was, well, NAD. It collapsed the stage and everything else was ragged. Once I put my new Ayre into the system, it fixed most everything and made the speakers sing even better than before with tubes.

Bottom line is that you need to put a system together and not the best audio products according to a magazine or what we posters tell you is best. Synergy is what makes systems work and anyone who's been around this block will tell you that. I've heard those speakers sound awesome a few weeks ago with the Ayre AX7e integrated and all Audio Quest cables. It was even digital I heard it with, but when we put on a simple Rega 3 it all just relaxed and sang. I don't even love the Rega, but it relaxed the sound and I got into the music instead of listening to components. Good luck and let us know what you do and how it goes
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