How can I improve 2.1 using my HT setup

udaman · « **on:** 4 May 2011, 08:56 pm »

Hi all,

I been lurking here for a while learning but have not post much. Been listening to music a lot lately in the HT room and just wondering if there are cheap and cheerful ways to improve my 2channels setup with the HT gear.

I have Squeezebox Duet analog -> Yamaha Rx-V661 -> Emotiva LPA-1 -> Strata Mini with MFW15 sub. Listen to flac and mp3. Like to continue to use the SB since I love the convenience and the gui remote. Plus like to use with sub while listening to music.

Overall, music sounds good right now. I think the only problem, maybe just in mind, is the music sounds 'lifeless' at times. Don't know how to describe it but maybe something to 'soften' up the music. Always been intrigue with tube gear but now sure how it will sound with my existing equipment. Been reading up on tube dac, tube preamp and buffer. the Dodd buffer is interesting but I'm not much of a diy for electronics. Any suggestions is appreciated.

jk@home · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 May 2011, 11:15 am »

One thing you can try right now is running the Squeezebox directly into the power amp, using the Duet's level control, and see if there is an improvement. Don't worry about bass management right now, you are looking for higher resolution in the mid to upper frequencies.

If that's an improvement, then look at a HT bypass setup, using a passive pre for the two channel music. An add on DAC after the Duet should improve things, maybe one (tubed or no) with a level control? For more $$$, a decent active preamp with HT bypass will work also.

I wouldn't recommend running the Squeezebox into the power amp as a permanent setup, although I did it once using a SB 3 (Classic) into an Aragon amp to MMG speakers. Heard horror stories from folks of the programming going haywire, suddenly sending a full voltage signal out of the Squeezebox. Plus, if you keep the signal already at full gain, controlling the level downstream, you know you are getting the most bits performance.

eclein · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 May 2011, 12:03 pm »

There are a lot of inexpensive tube buffers that could let you hear tubes and without a big cash outlay incase you didn't like it....I did a tube DAC but also had a buffer along the line now I got tube amps, it really is infectious.

I had/have the Tube DAC-09 and the B-283 Tube Buffer both from Grant Fidelity--good folks very helpful.
There are a lot of options and might be best to figure out a budget for the project/sneak peek first.
Here is Grants website:
http://grantfidelity.com/site/

udaman · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 May 2011, 02:58 pm »

jk,

the HT bypass is good suggestion. Tube preamp with HT bypass is pretty pricey. The SS seems more reasonable at ~$350 used. With HT bypass, I can leave the L/R speaker connected to the receiver without the need to disconnect when I want to listen with 2channels.

udaman · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 May 2011, 03:02 pm »

eclein,

The Tube DAC-09 seems reasonable enought to try. Wonder if SB>DAC>receiver setup will distort or take away some benefits of the tube sound if it goes through the receiver.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 May 2011, 01:52 am »

Sorry I didn't get to approving your posts 'til tonite udaman, your posts just missed me going in for a very hectic workday. You're over two posts now so you won't need anymore approvals. Welcome aboard.

udaman · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 May 2011, 01:54 am »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 6 May 2011, 01:52 am

Sorry I didn't get to approving your posts 'til tonite udaman, your posts just missed me going in for a very hectic workday. You're over two posts now so you won't need anymore approvals. Welcome aboard.

thanks. I'm in the 'circle of trust' now.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 May 2011, 02:02 am »

Quote from: udaman on 6 May 2011, 01:54 am

thanks. I'm in the 'circle of trust' now.

Yeah, it's to avoid a bout of spammers that inflicted the site for the last few months, nothing directed at new members.

(I know inflicted is the wrong word, but it sounds kewl to say it that way, especially if you ad in a Jersey accent)

For you question, I'd try some of the cheap or free tweaks offered up on several boards round here. The wrap of teflon plumbers tape around the AC plugs then squeeze it down with you fingernails trick. The BudP ground control mod (also know as ground enhancers), I prefer the DIY type, they can also be purchased. Put something soft and heavy on top of your components to dampen resonances, I prefer a big honkin' roll of duck tape, black to match the components, from Lowes or HD, laid on edge with the hole pointing up. Get some of these to mount your components on http://www.soundproofing.org/infopages/vibrationpads.htm Treat your room with DIY absorption and diffraction panels, go over to the Acoustics circle and nose around. Buy some new interconnects from Tuan (Sonny is his nick) http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=50447.0