Thanks and Audio quality question

[NicC]

I want to first express my gratitude to members of this site. Based on discussions months ago, I ordered a pair of Ascend ELX towers which will arrive in Australia sometime in April. Because they will replace a pair of Dali Zensor 7 speakers in a 5 channel setup, my expectations are quite high. I have a follow up question about another potential upgrade please.

Our system includes a Marantz SR5011, Emotiva XPA 5, and a Def Tech sub-woofer which I was given (not sure of the model). We listen to Spotify through the Marantz - it's our choice of platforms. Would there be a significant increase in sound quality if I purchased say, a Denafrips Ares II (or other) DAC? Some years ago, I purchased a Dragonfly Cobalt unit and couldn't hear any difference in sound quality, so I'm somewhat ... uncertain ... but thought it worth asking the question.

Thanks guys!

 

[Doodski]

I want to first express my gratitude to members of this site. Based on discussions months ago, I ordered a pair of Ascend ELX towers which will arrive in Australia sometime in April. Because they will replace a pair of Dali Zensor 7 speakers in a 5 channel setup, my expectations are quite high. I have a follow up question about another potential upgrade please.

Our system includes a Marantz SR5011, Emotiva XPA 5, and a Def Tech sub-woofer which I was given (not sure of the model). We listen to Spotify through the Marantz - it's our choice of platforms. Would there be a significant increase in sound quality if I purchased say, a Denafrips Ares II (or other) DAC? Some years ago, I purchased a Dragonfly Cobalt unit and couldn't hear any difference in sound quality, so I'm somewhat ... uncertain ... but thought it worth asking the question.

Thanks guys!

No, you won't hear a difference in adding a outboard DAC.

 

[NicC]

Appreciate your time! Thank you.

 

[Sokel]

If you want to maximize your set-up and have peace of mind at the same time,I would suggest to spend a fraction of the DAC budget and get a nice DMM,a measuring mic and spend some time to master REW (if you already have these,scrap the suggestion)

 

[Snarfie]

If you want to maximize your set-up and have peace of mind at the same time,I would suggest to spend a fraction of the DAC budget and get a nice DMM,a measuring mic and spend some time to master REW (if you already have these,scrap the suggestion)

As Sokel advice get acquainted (if not already done) with DSP like REW an a measuring mic. Other totaly free alternative (at least for me as a tech dummy ) is Mathaudio Room EQ in combination with Foobar2000 under Windows or Apple OS. It more or less combining REW an APO in one solution.

 

[NicC]

Thank you for the suggestions. Will this process advise about speaker placement and angles? I can’t see us adding any dampening items in the main living room.

 

[Snarfie]

Thank you for the suggestions. Will this process advise about speaker placement and angles? I can’t see us adding any dampening items in the main living room.

With DSP software as REW combined with APO or Mathaudio Room EQ for free combined with Foobar2000 no need for room treatment like absorption panels or bass traps. Speaker placement must be done by you simply let somebody speak in your room in diffrent places an listen at the spot you sit where the voice sound best. Obvious don't place speakers to close to walls. If your speaker placement is limited DSP will calculate best result. Before measurment read carefully how to make the measurment for instance Mathaudio expect you place you measuring mic vertical. Other DSP solutions expect horizontale placement.

 

[NicC]

Great, guys. Thank you. I'm looking forward to the experience and experimentation.