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Wish I had done more homework…

L

Litefiter

New Member
My system:
Marantz Quad to
WiiM Pro to
Za3 Mono block to
Oberon 7 & RSL 10s
I’m a casual listener. But when I read about tweaks that might improve my experience, I’m curious.
I’m considering adding an external DACs onto my system. The two in contention from my readings are:
FIIO K13 r2r
Topping Dx5

For the money, given my non-audiophile listening experience but still appreciative of quality sound, is this a worthwhile investment? If so, which makes for a better purchase.
TIA
 
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One of the biggest improvements I've made to my system(s) over the years was to use CAT5 speaker cables. Easy (although time consuming) to make. DM me if you want more info.
 
rickb119 said:
One of the biggest improvements I've made to my system(s) over the years was to use CAT5 speaker cables. Easy (although time consuming) to make. DM me if you want more info.
Click to expand...
Good answer and has been on my mind. But like others I’m sure, my options for room acoustic improvement are limited due to size and layout. My wife is all about the aesthetics and cares little for issues of sound! She could listen to music on a transistor radio and be perfectly happy!
 
A while back I made a pair of CAT5 cables for a fellow member. He prefers them to the Morrow SP7's that he had been using. The Morrow's retail for $1500.

Partial boxes of CAT5 can be found (from time to time) on CL/FB reasonably priced. Add some shrink tubing, connectors, cable sleeve and a few hours time, and you won't be disappointed.

Here's what they (one of the pair of biwire) looks like.
 

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rickb119 said:
A while back I made a pair of CAT5 cables for a fellow member. He prefers them to the Morrow SP7's that he had been using. The Morrow's retail for $1500.

Partial boxes of CAT5 can be found (from time to time) on CL/FB reasonably priced. Add some shrink tubing, connectors, cable sleeve and a few hours time, and you won't be disappointed.

Here's what they (one of the pair of biwire) looks like.
Click to expand...

That is very cool!

Great project!!
 
Litefiter said:
My system:
Marantz Quad to
WiiM Pro to
Za3 Mono block to
Oberon 7 & RSL 10s
I’m a casual listener. But when I read about tweaks that might improve my experience, I’m curious.
I’m considering adding an external DACs onto my system. The two in contention from my readings are:
FIIO K13 r2r
Topping Dx5

For the money, given my non-audiophile listening experience but still appreciative of quality sound, is this a worthwhile investment? If so, which makes for a better purchase.
TIA
Click to expand...
Curious as to why you are looking at integrated DAC/headphone amps? I don't see headphones in your list of gear.

The DAC in the Wiim Pro is fairly pedestrian. It doesn't measure nearly as well as the one in the Wiim Pro Plus, which ASR rates very highly. That said, i find the difference to be quite subtle My point is that unless you are interested in trying to "flavor" your sound, I don't think a different DAC will make a big difference. On the other hand, there are excellent DACs available in the $125-150 range, so low cost of entry. And depending on where you source it, if you find that a different DAC doesn't do much for you, you can just return it.

Experimenting with speaker placement/positioning (both mains and subs) may well get you more of an improvement than a new DAC.

Are you using Apple Lossless? If not, doing so would be another improvement to consider.
 
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spark1 said:
Curious as to why you are looking at integrated DAC/headphone amps? I don't see headphones in your list of gear.

The DAC in the Wiim Pro is fairly pedestrian. It doesn't measure nearly as well as the one in the Wiim Pro Plus, which ASR rates very highly. That said, i find the difference to be quite subtle My point is that unless you are interested in trying to "flavor" your sound, I don't think a different DAC will make a big difference. On the other hand, there are excellent DACs available in the $125-150 range, so low cost of entry. And depending on where you source it, if you find that a different DAC doesn't do much for you, you can just return it.

Experimenting with speaker placement/positioning (both mains and subs) may well get you more of an improvement than a new DAC.

Are you using Apple Lossless? If not, doing so would be another improvement to consider.
Click to expand...
I wanted to thank you for your reply. Because of your questioning the use of a headphone DAC/AMP, I relooked at what I was trying to accomplish, and realized your suggestion of looking at DACs minus headphones was a more appropriate choice. I’m new at this and getting run down numerous rabbit holes of what is the best option of “things”, is sometimes overwhelming. I ended up with a Schitt Modi 5. My room doesn’t allow for much speaker positioning and though I find it sounds pretty well to my ears, I thought that maybe I could get a little more depth in sound by trying a DAC reviewed to be more toward the “warmer” end of the spectrum. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for giving me an idea that cost me less than half of what I was considering.
 
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