Do I really need to upgrade my amplifier for Polk R700 if I already use DSP?

[Yeezy95]

Hello everyone,

I’d appreciate some advice from people with more experience in home audio systems.

My current setup:

• Speakers: Polk Audio Reserve R700
• Amplifier: SMSL RAW-HA1
• DSP / Room correction: miniDSP Open-DRC Di
• Sources: TV + Apple TV, SMSL PO100PRO (Usb interface) + Android phone with Usb audio player pro
• Room: ~25 m², listening distance ~3.5–4 m, listening from a sofa

For measurement and tuning I use REW and Smaart, and I’m quite comfortable with measurements, EQ, impulse response, etc.
Most of my background is in car audio system tuning, where I’ve spent many years working with DSPs, time alignment, parametric EQ and system optimization.

Home audio, however, is relatively new territory for me.

At the moment, my system is well measured and EQ’d, and the SMSL amplifier actually sounds fine to me. I’m not chasing a “new sound signature” or some dramatic change.
My main goal is simply to enjoy clean, controlled, high-quality Hi-Fi sound from the couch, with good bass control and low distortion.

So my questions are:

• From a technical and audible standpoint, does it make sense to upgrade the amplifier in my case?
• Would a more powerful / higher-quality amplifier (for example Hypex NCx / NC502MP or Purifi based designs) bring real, audible benefits with Polk R700 in a room like mine?

I’m not looking for “audiophile magic”, just solid engineering and good sound.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[voodooless]

I think that if the current amp goes loud enough, there isn’t much need to upgrade. Enginerring wise, a Hypex or Purifi amp is certainly an upgrade. But it will likely not be audible unless the SMSL runs out of steam.