Latest changes: I finally replaced my trusty NAD power amp with a pair of Benchmark AHB2 amps running in mono mode. I was never unhappy with the NAD, but I wanted to try something with more power and lower distortion. I also changed out the S.M.S.L. M8 DAC for an SU-8 V2 from the same company.
2022
My goal for the system is the usual; full, flat frequency response - highly detailed but not harsh. I just want to hear all that the recording has to offer and nothing more.
The largest step towards that goal came when I used the REW software to measure the room response, and then used Roon's DSP capability to negate the major peaks in bass response. This gave my speakers a chance to sound like they should.
I also tried to simplify the system by going from the volume controlled DAC straight into the power amp thinking that every added component adds some distortion. I've since added a pre-amp back into the system, but it's of such low distortion there is almost no penalty.
I continue to chase low noise & distortion. The NAD power amp might be in need of upgrade.
2013
*Seems to have a rich, full sound with high frequencies that don't get out of hand. Between the amplification and speakers, it's a fairly neutral system, maybe a little forgiving up top making it pretty good as an all rounder.
Any future changes should increase dynamics and punch. Looking at amp, DAC, room changes in no particular order.*
1-31-2022 Update: Made a couple of of component changes. Brought in an SMSL SU-8 V2 DAC to replace the M8A. The volume control function of the new DAC allowed me to drive the power amp directly, removing the need for a pre-amp in my single source system.
This worked for a while, but the operation of the DAC's volume control is kind of crude, and the steps are larger than I like. So added a pre-amp back in, a Topping Pre90 with balanced input/outputs and stepped resistor-relay volume control.
Moved the Grace headphone amp to the bedroom night stand.
That's it for now. Down the road, I'd like to get an amp with balanced inputs, to complete the balanced connection from the DAC.
Major source change. Finally replaced the 14-year old noisy windows 7 laptop with a current NUC8i7. Installed in an Akasa Turing fanless case, it's completely silent! No moving parts to wear out. No internal dust.
Operating System is ROCK (Roon Optimized Core Kit) from Roon Labs. It's a customized, stripped down lynux system that only does one thing, play music.
Also bought a year's Roon subscription, which, besides organizing and playing music, has DSP capabilities with which I have set filters to flatten the room-bass modes. Also am trialing a Tidal streaming subscription. I don't know how much better it gets.
Update: There's only been two real changes to the system. The first being the abandonment of my WiFi network music storage. Due mainly to hardware issues, I was never able to get it completely reliable and bug free. But it was the time lag loading tracks that pushed me to the simple solution. Now using an attached 4 TB external hard drive.
The second change was a very noticeable improvement in sound, by giving up on the DAC in the Grace preamp. I ultimately determined that the sound of the Grace's DAC was a little dull and flat, in comparison to some more recent DACs that I've heard. I'm now using a relatively inexpensive external DAC (S.M.S.L. M8 original) with an ES9018K2M chip. The sound is more open and alive.
Been thinking long and hard about upgrading the amplification, main and pre. The thing that holds me back is that my room is very compromised, with poor speaker placement and too much furniture in the way. I need to fix that before I possibly waste money to see if new equipment would make a difference.
One thing I am pretty certain to change is that I'm going to ditch the laptop computer/Foobar2000 arrangement for a dedicated music player. I'm trying to talk myself into a Roon+ by end of year. The laptop's Windows 7 Operating System, that I'm using now, will be obsolete by then.
I've been using Grace a m902, and after new version came out, m903 as pre-amp and headphone amp since 2009. The two independently adjustable line outs came in handy when I was using subwoofers.
It's been my favorite component since I first got it, though I am thinking of trying a different direction for curiosity sake.
