Advice on best DAC / PReamp to Pair with Sopra 2 Speakers

[rimmi2002]

Hi Everyone,

I’m looking for community input on the best DAC / Preamp pairing for my Focal Sopra N2 speakers. I’m planning to run a 2.2 setup with two Rythmik FV18 subwoofers, using a Anthem STR Preamp for preamp/DSP functions with Buckeye 6525SA Amp.

My speakers sound bright unless I calibrate them down. The REW plot shows ~3db rise from 4Khz to 10khz. (tested in nearfield at 1ft and 3ft). See Below I was able to EQ it out with ARC on Anthem STR.

Given my amp is very transparent and analytical was wondering if I will benefit from pairing it with a "Warmer" DAC / Preamp Combo. I'm trying to find a used Audio Research 5SE or LS28SE for Preamp. Will use my MiniDSP2x4HD to manage the subs with it.

For DACs perhaps a used ARC DAC8 which is in the low $1000 range but is quite old. Curious has recommendation on anything newer that perhaps can function similarly at a lower cost? Kinda like how the Buckeye Amps are a great bang for the buck.

Thank you.


Near Field Meaurments Belows: This rise from 3.5Khz to 10Khz is also present at seating positions ~12 ft away and system is much more tolerable with EQ on the ARC.

Measurement at sitting position:
Blue = No Room Correction
Red = With Room correction (plus my added bass boost)

 

[Beave]

The best way to address such issues as this are with either EQ, room treatment, or some combination of the two.

Trying to fix it by changing the DAC is completely futile.

Trying to fix it by changing the preamp is just as much so.

The Sopra No2 was measured by Soundstage at the NRC (link here: https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153).

You can see that it puts out a lot of off-axis energy in the 2-10kHz region. You won't be able to fix that with a DAC or preamp or even the amp. Room treatment and EQ is the way to go.

 

[rimmi2002]

The best way to address such issues as this are with either EQ, room treatment, or some combination of the two.

Trying to fix it by changing the DAC is completely futile.

Trying to fix it by changing the preamp is just as much so.

The Sopra No2 was measured by Soundstage at the NRC (link here: https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153).

You can see that it puts out a lot of off-axis energy in the 2-10kHz region. You won't be able to fix that with a DAC or preamp or even the amp. Room treatment and EQ is the way to go.

Thank you. completely understand the part about the DAC/Preamp not changing the sound curve, but from what I have read (obviously could just be a myth), but these "Warm" tube preamps from AR make it so that a bright tweeter like the Sopra 2's berrylium doesn't sound harsh (perhaps due to the even order harmonic distortions introduced) even with that rise in Treble., Instead it sound more holographic, with a much wider sound stage with excellent separation of instruments. Now I am not sure if that is all just marketing spread across the net or a real thing and the issue is, the only way to try it out buy one of these.

Main reason I bought the Anthem STR Preamp is cause I knew my room had some challenges and will likely need eq. So it does help the sound with ARC running.

Now my room is about as well treated as I can get it without having it sound dead. (picture attached; pardon the mess)

I have 7x 10" thick 16"x48" John Mansville Fiberglass flanking the walls to get all first reflections from there + some help with Bass.

Have 8x 20" thick 16"x48" Bass traps on front and back wall + 2 more in opposite corner (not in photo) also with JM 2x 10" Fiberglass.

Also placed some theater curtain stye molton black cloth on the table, but it doesn't really do anything ,

 

[Beave]

Thank you. completely understand the part about the DAC/Preamp not changing the sound curve, but from what I have read (obviously could just be a myth), but these "Warm" tube preamps from AR make it so that a bright tweeter like the Sopra 2's berrylium doesn't sound harsh (perhaps due to the even order harmonic distortions introduced) even with that rise in Treble., Instead it sound more holographic, with a much wider sound stage with excellent separation of instruments. Now I am not sure if that is all just marketing spread across the net or a real thing and the issue is, the only way to try it out buy one of these.

I'd say that's almost entirely marketing myth, as you seem to suspect. A tube amp (not preamp but amp) might alter your frequency response in a good way, if it happens to have a high-ish output impedance that happens to work well with the impedance of your speakers. That's a rabbit hole that you can step right over and just use EQ instead.

I don't think a tube amp will sound more holographic, nor will it widen (or narrow) the soundstage, nor will it enhance separation of instruments. Those are certainly myths due to sighted, non-level-matched, poorly controlled listening comparisons. They won't hold up under proper scrutiny.

Main reason I bought the Anthem STR Preamp is cause I knew my room had some challenges and will likely need eq. So it does help the sound with ARC running.

Now my room is about as well treated as I can get it without having it sound dead. (picture attached; pardon the mess)

I have 7x 10" thick 16"x48" John Mansville Fiberglass flanking the walls to get all first reflections from there + some help with Bass.

Have 8x 20" thick 16"x48" Bass traps on front and back wall + 2 more in opposite corner (not in photo) also with JM 2x 10" Fiberglass.

Also placed some theater curtain stye molton black cloth on the table, but it doesn't really do anything ,

EQ it its, then!