Going away from HDMI and back to USB with all the Uptone stuff, yeah.....the bass had much more weight to it and the overall sound was smoother and more refined. This in addition to using a DEQ 2496 to EQ in the digital domain has me totally content. If there was one thing I would not want to go without, it would definitely be the 2496. No doubt about it.
Yeah, my speakers have a total of (4) 12" drivers. Totally modified, re-braced and beefed up.....you can barely call them Klipsch anymore....but I do because they are still Klipsch's design.....just better parts and modified construction making them better performers.
I use tubes but mostly run high current, high wattage amps. The dual 12's love it.
I have a SVS SB-4000 on order. That should satisfy the bass end of things. You certainly have a lot of pieces in line before the D2. I had a look at the 2496. Could you explain in lay mans terms what this gizmo does? How does all these electronic pieces compare to a high end Music player. Mind I have had nothing to do with "High end Music players but i gather they can replace the type of set up using laptop to DAC.