Improving stereo sound?

[MI55ION]

Hi,

I want to improve my stereo sound and wanted some advice.

At the moment im using my dvd player > dac > av amplifier on its pure direct mode to listen to cds. The Q is, what would make a significant improvement i.e. a dedicated cd transport or seperate stereo amplifier?

Also keeping in mind my current av amp outputs around 100W RMS (according to its specs), what sort of amplifier power would i require (speakers can handle upto 150W RMS) to run them properly and at what budget would i have to spend toward in order to see an improvement from my current setup if i were to buy a dedicated stereo amp?

Apologies if all this has been covered before but any advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

[CJROSS]

Originally Posted by MI55ION

Hi,

I want to improve my stereo sound and wanted some advice.

At the moment im using my dvd player > dac > av amplifier on its pure direct mode to listen to cds. The Q is, what would make a significant improvement i.e. a dedicated cd transport or seperate stereo amplifier?

Also keeping in mind my current av amp outputs around 100W RMS (according to its specs), what sort of amplifier power would i require (speakers can handle upto 150W RMS) to run them properly and at what budget would i have to spend toward in order to see an improvement from my current setup if i were to buy a dedicated stereo amp?

Apologies if all this has been covered before but any advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Go for a stereo amp firstly, and I would be on the look out for an amp with XLRs inputs as your fine DAC sports these. Next up speakers to upgrade. You are I am afraid like many AV users stuck in 5.1 limbo where stereo is hard to achieve due to your existing setup (fine for 5.1) so it’s a question of priorities.

FWIW I use the very DAC you have for Freeview Digital use, and I have connected up my old Pioneer 717 optically towards it – and it’s a damn fine source component for stereo CD use, I have mine hooked up to the Primare via DIY XLRs. DACs at that level with XLR outputs are very rare and I jumped at the chance of getting one, having owned a few DACs before – I am very happy with this unit, via a decent stereo amp and speakers it is a great CD source.

Not sure of your budget but I have seen second hand Primares A30.1 MkIs for £500-600 Mk II for £600-800. If your budget is less than that there are plenty of other good amps about.

[shahedz]

i wanted to improve my sound and a stereo amp is the only way!

[MI55ION]

Sorry but i shouldve been a little clearer. Im on a low budget at the moment so i dont think i could stretch anywhere near the sort of budget required for amp with XLR inputs.

I was thinking of spending upto £150 if that would that make a difference to my current setup. thanks

[shahedz]

consider a second hand Pioneer A400 amp, brilliant musical amp and within your budget, i would think it would make a very noticebale difference

[CJROSS]

£150 will buy you a lot of amp on Ebay, from yesteryear, one noted already is a good shout as is :

Rotel
Sony ES
Denon 1500
Harmon Kardons

Start looking plenty of amps about.

[MI55ION]

Thanks a lot guys, i think youve directed me in the right course. Just one other thing, i know that amp 'power' is a grey area since it depends on so many other aspects but would a say 40 W stereo amp be able to drive my volare v63's comfortably?

CJRoss, i dont think ill be upgrading the speakers just yet since theyre a little over 1 year old and so far ive been very happy with their performance. But youre right there are better out there and perhaps ill upgrade them as and when that becomes feasible. BTW, with only one optical input how are you connecting both the digibox and dvd player optically to your dac?

[Cable Monkey]

That player doesn't need a DAC does it?