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Suggested upgrade paths

So, I am looking at spending 5k to improve the sound of my very modest system. I currently have a Rotel 1592. Being fed by an Eversolo DMP A6. I’m using the Rotel DAC, as I didn’t like the ESS DAC. This feeds a pair of Wharfedale Super Lintons. 

While it sounds ok with the volume at 60-65. If I want it louder, the treble is shrill to my ears and the bass not as clear/punchy as I prefer. I run the bass at +3. I am considering purchasing a subwoofer, along with a DAC/DDC. 

The room is roughly 450 sq ft with 10’-12’ coved ceiling. Looking for upgrade path suggestions for the mentioned 5k investment. Thanks in advance.

nucleardog61
goldenways
124 posts
 

With my Harbeth Super HL5+ XD, the singer is close to live. Voice clear. Mid range I do not see an issue. Of course it's system dependent but they are capable of putting out a full range. Having a well produced recordings helps to evaluate. Helps a lot. 

Changing out speaker cables makes sense. I doubt it will help but it does not hurt to try. Speaker cables do matter.

pmm
250 posts
 

Please stay away from changing cables to correct this problem, too subtle and subjective. 

The most cost-effective way, as stated above, is speaker placement. Try toeing in, or out

mashif
472 posts
 

That's a classic symptom of too live of a room. Whatever you can do to absorb some higher frequencies would help. Carpet, drapes, artistic acoustic panels, etc. are what will help most. 

sls883
1,056 posts
 

Not being familiar with your gear, I would start by reading reviews on my gear to see if the issue with sibilance or bass is common to any of my gear.

 

I would guess that the bass issue is speaker related.  Either placement, the speaker itself, or both. 

 

Sibilance drove me nuts for years. I tried different cables which kinda helped by rolling off the top end a bit, but it didn't solve my problem.  I just blamed it on poor recordings. Thinking my gear is now so revealing that all of the crap recordings are more noticeable. 

 

My problem turned out to be a well regarded tube preamp.  Replacing it pretty much fixed the problem.  Upgrading my dac also improved things. Now, I have a revealing system and I don't even think of sibilance. At one point, I had almost concluded that sibilance was just something that I'd have to live with.  I was wrong. 

arnieco
21 posts
 

since your complaint is about the sound quality when it’s louder, I would upgrade the amplifier to a seperate. You could still use the rotel as a preamp.

You’re getting distortion, and I assume “65” is out of 100, which sounds like you operate at max gas. So far its been my experience that amps distort before speakers do, assuming decent speakers which you have.

 

Next would be a speaker upgrade if the amp doesn’t help. Try a few.

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