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DAC = thin sound


Hi guys. recently jumped to computer audio wagon. I have searched and read the web but I can't find any solution.

System:

DYNAUDIO 52SE -- speaker

EXPOSURE 2010S -- int. Amp

PS AUDIO DLIII -- DAC (not yet broke-in, less than 10hrs of use)

tried my macbook thru USB and Apple tv thru toslink

I might be imagining how thinly it sounds now, but also I would add that it adds tremendous information on my simple system now. Is it, because I hear a lot on higher frequency now compared before? or the fact it's upconverting my files?

any input/suggestion is welcome

Thanks

Jason
jastorg1
ssglx
203 posts
 
I have an AppleTV connected to a V-dac with toslink. The tone density increased when I used a shorter glass toslink cable that I bought on amazon, and when I changed interconnects from the V-dac.

I run Apple lossless files, but I even get good heft and tone from some MP3's that are well recorded.

I would start out playing with cables, toslink first.

Speaker positioning may be an issue also. I recall I had to change the toe-in to return to a coherent sound after the switch from a CD Player. Don't ask me why.
jastorg1 OP
26 posts
 

IIRC the USB input on the DLIII is limited to 16/44.1

i think 'bright' is the closest term I can say on my system. Also the midrange is really thin sounding to me.. I wish I could have gotten the oppo uni. player :( but all the CD's are stored in my library now..

oh well
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Jast - you can fix this by adding a good USB converter and drive S/PDIF with a good 1.5m cable to the DAC.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
realremo
460 posts
 
audiophilleo, stello, anedio and maybe the offramp are all options for better USB-SPDIF converters, depending upon budget. I am still saving, don't know if I will get new speakers or keep dumping $$$ into the front end. At this point my front end is more expensive that my speakers are!
jastorg1 OP
26 posts
 

thanks everyone. I decided to add a transport (universal player). I really dont like the sound coming from a USB and the apple tv connected by a toslink. So we'll see if the SQ is due to the DAC itself. :(

I would love to get the USB to S/PDIF but I'm on limited budget right now (I'm also upgrading my MACbook-- so I don't want to do this right now)

Jason
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