Your base system is a wonderful system. I see two maybe three areas where there may be problems with sound reproduction. 1) CD Transport, 2) DAC, 3) Room
The inexpensive CD transport you are using is an issue. I have compared many transports into the same DAC/system and there are widespread differences in the sound. You should borrow better transports and hear the differences.
The DAC also made a major difference to me. I have also compared many DACs and they really do make a major difference. The power supplies in the DACs are the major weak point. The Analog output portion in DACs are similar to pre-amps and if the power supplies are not really beefed up, they will not sound good.
The room may require major corrections for bass or mid level or high frequency sound corrections and reflections. My main problem in my system is the room.
As a side note,you do not need to purchase stupidly expensive CD transport or DACs. There are some out there used that are incredible. For example, Pioneer Elite's DVD 09 CD players is one of the best constructed and wonderful transports (not CD player) that I have ever heard and I have compared it with many other much more expensive transports. It is built like a tank and seriously overbuilt. The Digital output of this unit rivals the best out there and you can get one for a steal used.
The used Theta DS Pro-Gen V DAC is wonderful and is very hard to beat by other DACs and relatively inexpensive used.
I have had many come by my home to hear their music on this transport and DAC combination and they left with jaws open.
People upgrade DVD players because they want newer bells and whistles, such as HDMI outputs. However, if you are using it solely as a CD transport, then wow!
I have compared them with newer more expensive DACs and CD player/transports and again, pioneer elite in the day was the state of the art in many areas. Don't overlook this relatively inexpensive but definitely high-end used combo.
There are others out there also, but find a friend or shop that is willing to let you borrow a demo CD player and/or DAC and to take it home for a week or so to listen, then make an informed decision.
enjoy.
The inexpensive CD transport you are using is an issue. I have compared many transports into the same DAC/system and there are widespread differences in the sound. You should borrow better transports and hear the differences.
The DAC also made a major difference to me. I have also compared many DACs and they really do make a major difference. The power supplies in the DACs are the major weak point. The Analog output portion in DACs are similar to pre-amps and if the power supplies are not really beefed up, they will not sound good.
The room may require major corrections for bass or mid level or high frequency sound corrections and reflections. My main problem in my system is the room.
As a side note,you do not need to purchase stupidly expensive CD transport or DACs. There are some out there used that are incredible. For example, Pioneer Elite's DVD 09 CD players is one of the best constructed and wonderful transports (not CD player) that I have ever heard and I have compared it with many other much more expensive transports. It is built like a tank and seriously overbuilt. The Digital output of this unit rivals the best out there and you can get one for a steal used.
The used Theta DS Pro-Gen V DAC is wonderful and is very hard to beat by other DACs and relatively inexpensive used.
I have had many come by my home to hear their music on this transport and DAC combination and they left with jaws open.
People upgrade DVD players because they want newer bells and whistles, such as HDMI outputs. However, if you are using it solely as a CD transport, then wow!
I have compared them with newer more expensive DACs and CD player/transports and again, pioneer elite in the day was the state of the art in many areas. Don't overlook this relatively inexpensive but definitely high-end used combo.
There are others out there also, but find a friend or shop that is willing to let you borrow a demo CD player and/or DAC and to take it home for a week or so to listen, then make an informed decision.
enjoy.