Upgrade from SMSL AO300 Amplifier/DAC

[Mike_Trueman]

Hello all,

I would like to upgrade my PC desktop system, 100% for listening to music.
Curent system: Realtek ALC4080 -> S/PDIF -> SMSL AO300 -> Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 -> SVS SB-1000 PRO
Should these 3 amplifiers sound better or is it a waste of money? Are there better options around 1000€?

• Topping PA7 plus + Topping E70 Velvet
• Marantz MODEL M1
• Denon Home Amp

Thanks.

 

[Benji L]

Hi Mike, I have essentially the same speakers and amplifier as you, albeit the Loxjie version of that amp, so am also curious how much difference the Topping PA 7 Plus would make.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Yeah but i trust Marantz as a brand more then topping but the Topping combo should sound good also

Still using the AO300 atm. This is my channel:

 

[TurtlePaul]

It is a waste of money to upgrade a well performing amp. The distortion of your speakers is probably two orders of magnitude higher than the amp.

It looks like you are using a PC based setup. If you want to make a tweak, I would get a UMIK-1 USB measurement mic then fool around with REW and Equalizer APO. That would make a much more dramatic difference than changing between well measuring amps.

Is anything in the system able to high-pass the speakers? Lack of bass management could he a weakness if your current setup.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

It is a waste of money to upgrade a well performing amp. The distortion of your speakers is probably two orders of magnitude higher than the amp.

It looks like you are using a PC based setup. If you want to make a tweak, I would get a UMIK-1 USB measurement mic then fool around with REW and Equalizer APO. That would make a much more dramatic difference than changing between well measuring amps.

Is anything in the system able to high-pass the speakers? Lack of bass management could he a weakness if your current setup.

Sorry, but this amp is a very nice upgrade from the AO300. The NAD M10 V3 sounds so much better as an integrated amplifier, even my wife says so. I can listen to music much longer now because the AO300 gave my ear fatigue after some time. Many more options to adjust the audio and subwoofer to my liking with the NAD. Maybe i upgrade my speakers later but for now it is a perfect system for me.