What can I improve in my audio system for better s


I have lossless FLAC music ripped from cd's and music I purchased from HD tracks, I am using Macintosh MX 121 processor, Krell S1500 7 channel power amp, 7.1 SYSTEM, B&W 802D speakers for front and center, Monitor Audio for side and rare channels, Crystal and Audio Quest for interconnect and Tara Lab for Speaker cables. I am using JRiver to play this music from my computer, which resides on Lenovo Q180 small foot print PC with build in HDMI which is connected to my processor via this HDMI. I don't know why but I feel that this PC is the least expensive equipment I have, and is the weakest link in my entire system. There is nothing wrong with the system. But, it always bugs me that I can improve this weak link. I like the fact that while playing music I can see the album cover and track information on the monitor. But still I am curious to know, if possible, how I can improve the sound quality. Since I have a McIntosh processor with built in DAC, I don't want to add another DAC (by the way I tried using Moon DAC, it was no-ware close to McIntosh MX121, ended up selling it on eBay). I am not even sure, while using HDMI port does better sound card matters? Or can I enhance anything in my system to improve the sound quality or am I looking for unrealistic Magic? When I purchased this system, my friends were so surprised from the money I spent, there first question to me was "Does singer comes out of these speakers to sing for you?" I guess that's what I am expecting; I believe I am missing those emotions that we get from live performance.

Need a professional advice, please help.
trcns

Showing 4 responses by trcns

I am not at 20K, I am already over 60K. Problem is I have 130" projector screen with 4K projector and its the same room where I play music. So I cannot separated them.

Said that I found what was missing. Its an external USB to Digital converter. I bought Bel Canto uLink which really made a difference.
I will add the pictures. Only time I visited the dealer when I was shopping for speakers, I listened to YG and DynAudio along with B&W. All the rest of equipment I purchased is based on reviews of the equipment. Monitor Audio reference speakers were my original speakers before buying B&W 802 D's last year, so I moved them as side channels, I feel that they timber matched very well. Music sounds very very crisp and clean. I never compared my system with other systems. I never had an opportunity to spend hours and hours at dealers location and now little by little all these Hi-End audio show rooms are disappearing. It's just a bug in my head, always thinking is their a better software than JRiver? Is there a better way to connect computer to my Processor other than using HDMI? Should I buy a better HDMI cable? Or a better sound card? Should I change my hard drive to SSD drive? Will it matter if I change my sound cards setting from 24/96 to 24/192?
Today I got Bel Canto uLink, I connected and believe or not first thing came out of my mouth was Woooow. I have over $60K invested in my Audio Video equipment and this tiny $675 just amazed me. No more noise in the music, just music. So sharp, so open, so deep, just Wooooow.