Newbie equipment question

[AndyBell]

Hi all

I bought my audio gear based on reviews I read before finding ASR. I probably would have bought other equipment if I had read the info on this site first.

Anyhow, my setup is this:

I live in a flat and my audio room is a small room I also use as my office. I can’t pump up the volume much as the neighbours wouldn’t appreciate it, so I listen mainly at around 70db max with occasional sessions at 80-85db (I have a decibel meter)

My gear is:

Windows 11 PC + Neutron music player

FiiO K11 R2R via USB

Or

Samsung Galaxy A16 + Neuton connected to the K11 via Bluetooth using FiiO BT13 LDAC

Music is FLAC ripped from CDs. Mainly 70s prog rock and ‘meaty’ classical such as Beethoven.

Argon Audio A5 speakers

I also have Sennheiser HD560s with a balanced cable that plugs into the K11 and gets good volume.

I use the same settings for the Neutron audio player on the PC and the A16: no upsampling, some EQ to boost the bass as I like a ‘bassy’ sound.

To my ear, it makes no difference if I use the PC or the A16. The advantage of the A16 is not having to boot up the PC. But it sounds the same.

I have tried the K11 in both OS and NOS modes and can’t hear any difference. My understanding is the K11 in NOS mode still applies a low pass filter, which may explain why I can hear any difference. Or it could be my hearing - I’m not young and a hearing test shows I can hear up to 16khz.

Given that background, would I gain anything by replacing the K11 + BT13 with something like a Topping DX5 II? I like the sound I get with my equipment but the reviews on this site indicate the K11 R2R isn’t state of the art and measures less well than the Topping (and a lot of other gear). But would I hear a difference?

Andy

 

[DVDdoug]

To my ear, it makes no difference if I use the PC or the A16.

That's to be expected unless they are EQ'd differently. The electronics are rarely a concern, even less with active speakers where the amplifier power is already "matched" to the speaker.

some EQ to boost the bass as I like a ‘bassy’ sound.

The HD560 is reviewed here and it's a bit weak in the deep bass. And unfortunately, Amir says it distorts if you boost the bass too much.

You could probably benefit from bigger speaker or a subwoofer but the neighbors may not appreciate it. Bass likes to go through walls.

I also have Sennheiser HD560s with a balanced cable that plugs into the K11 and gets good volume.

A balanced headphone connection can usually go 6dB louder than the unbalanced output on the same device, but that's the only real benefit and there are other ways to get more output from a headphone amp. Or different headphones can be more sensitive and go louder.

 

[AndyBell]

Thanks @DVDdoug

I’m assuming that your reply indicates there’s no point changing the DAC and my focus should be on speakers/headphones if I want to improve the sound….

You wrote: “there are other ways to get more output from a headphone amp.” I already have its gain on maximum. Is there anything else I can do?

Thanks

Andy

 

[dimedrol]

Personally, I haven't heard an improvement in DACs since Audigy 2ZS released in 2003. In hi-fi CD players - since even earlier. If you are looking to boost the performance of your audio system, I'd suggest to start with room measurements, then, if applicable, proceed to room eq/acoustic treatment/speaker re-positioning, and finally I'd consider upgrading the speakers/headphones. Getting an adequate headphone amp is also important (considering yours is not adequate). It is only after all that proves not satisfactory - would I think about upgrading the DAC.

 

[aagstn]

Personally, I haven't heard an improvement in DACs since Audigy 2ZS released in 2003. In hi-fi CD players - since even earlier. If you are looking to boost the performance of your audio system, I'd suggest to start with room measurements, then, if applicable, proceed to room eq/acoustic treatment/speaker re-positioning, and finally I'd consider upgrading the speakers/headphones. Getting an adequate headphone amp is also important (considering yours is not adequate). It is only after all that proves not satisfactory - would I think about upgrading the DAC.

This advice is outstanding. I have focused my budget on room treatment, room correction, and speakers/headphones. That is the only thing that has made a difference for me. Changing DACs, Amps, cables, etc. has made zero difference to the sound.

 

[antcollinet]

Changing DACs, Amps, cables, etc. has made zero difference to the sound.

Exactly - even though your DAC is measurably a poor performer compared with state of the art - it is still good enough for its defects to be inaudible for almost everyone in real world listening.

You've been given good advice above.

 

[Steven Holt]

You're off to a good start. I suspect that you do a lot of headphone - listening. To that end, take a hard look at the JDS Labs Atom DAC/Amp combo. You will not be disappointed. I can vouch for this personally.