Suggestions on getting exciting sound

[pra300]

Hello all,
My previous speakers were Swans D1080-IVB which I bought after I read some recommendations here. With those speakers, for the first time I experienced what it's like to get drawn into music, they felt warm, bass had depth. I felt very excited to keep playing music with them.
Unfortunately I had to return them due to some issue - you can read about that here.

Here is my current setup:
Mission LX2 MKII speakers with Aiyima A07 Pro amp.

Now, what makes speakers sound exciting? Is it warmth?
Current setup is very clean, enjoyable, not-fatiguing but it doesn't have the excitement Swans had.
I am looking to get that, my question is how do I achieve that with current setup in a cost-effective way?

Do I need to change speakers, or amp, or I can just get tube preamp?

 

[shibashis]

The amplifier will stand out as the obvious weak link but changing the amp can not really happen in a whim and fancy. You probably should look at your source of music. What is the source? Computer, Phone, Bluetooth? Are you using a streaming service like Spotify?
The source chain defines a lot of the final outcome, lets have a look there.

 

[pra300]

Source mostly TV (Fire tv stick 4k) with RCA and bluetooth occasionally from phone. I am not sure you got what I am looking for. Current setup already sounds quite good and clean, high quality source will surely enhance it but I am looking for warmth, emotions from sound. I believe Tube preamp or tube amp will give me what I like but I am not sure as I don't have any means to experience demo before buying.

I was interested to know whether the tube amp will do the trick or it also depends on speakers too.

The amplifier will stand out as the obvious weak link but changing the amp can not really happen in a whim and fancy. You probably should look at your source of music. What is the source? Computer, Phone, Bluetooth? Are you using a streaming service like Spotify?
The source chain defines a lot of the final outcome, lets have a look there.

 

[rwnano]

Hello all,
My previous speakers were Swans D1080-IVB which I bought after I read some recommendations here. With those speakers, for the first time I experienced what it's like to get drawn into music, they felt warm, bass had depth. I felt very excited to keep playing music with them.
Unfortunately I had to return them due to some issue - you can read about that here.

Here is my current setup:
Mission LX2 MKII speakers with Aiyima A07 Pro amp.

Now, what makes speakers sound exciting? Is it warmth?
Current setup is very clean, enjoyable, not-fatiguing but it doesn't have the excitement Swans had.
I am looking to get that, my question is how do I achieve that with current setup in a cost-effective way?

Do I need to change speakers, or amp, or I can just get tube preamp?

High current amplifier makes speakers exciting...

 

[shibashis]

Source mostly TV (Fire tv stick 4k) with RCA and bluetooth occasionally from phone. I am not sure you got what I am looking for. Current setup already sounds quite good and clean, high quality source will surely enhance it but I am looking for warmth, emotions from sound. I believe Tube preamp or tube amp will give me what I like but I am not sure as I don't have any means to experience demo before buying.

I was interested to know whether the tube amp will do the trick or it also depends on speakers too.

There is a discussion to be had when it comes to 'emotion' in music. You should start by trying to figure out what you are missing from your music, saying 'emotion' leaves it very vague. It will take some effort but do try it. Play some of your favourite tracks and artists, music that you know and love, try to outline what you feel is missing and perhaps jot them down. It will make things simpler in the end.

Given what your set up is, I am interested to know how long you have had it? It will sound a bit of an escapist advice but it does take time for you to get used to a new kind of sound, give this set up the chance if it is not that old yet.
Plus, the RCA out I am assuming is taken straight from your TV, if that is so then you will almost certainly get great improvement by adding a DAC (assuming your TV has toslink/digital out) between the TV and your amplifier.
If you let us know what is your budget and what you can comfortably afford to spend at the moment, forum members will come up with suggestions.

And, do not run after tubes yet, save that madness for a bit later, lol.

 

[pra300]

There is a discussion to be had when it comes to 'emotion' in music. You should start by trying to figure out what you are missing from your music, saying 'emotion' leaves it very vague. It will take some effort but do try it. Play some of your favourite tracks and artists, music that you know and love, try to outline what you feel is missing and perhaps jot them down. It will make things simpler in the end.

Given what your set up is, I am interested to know how long you have had it? It will sound a bit of an escapist advice but it does take time for you to get used to a new kind of sound, give this set up the chance if it is not that old yet.
Plus, the RCA out I am assuming is taken straight from your TV, if that is so then you will almost certainly get great improvement by adding a DAC (assuming your TV has toslink/digital out) between the TV and your amplifier.
If you let us know what is your budget and what you can comfortably afford to spend at the moment, forum members will come up with suggestions.

And, do not run after tubes yet, save that madness for a bit later, lol.

What am I missing? - warmth, tightness in bass.
About emotion, I have no idea how it's percieved as per audio enthusiasts, but for me it means the sound draws you in, it engages you. For your reference the Swans D1080-IVB cheap active speakers I had - has that magic.

My tv got hdmi arc, optical ports. Not a fan of optical as it can't control volume with remote
control. I prefer rca to control volume with single remote.

Upgrade budget - can spend upto ₹15k

 

[chander]

A few questions -
1 - How is this amp connected to your TV?
2 - Do you have a way to incorporate a subwoofer?

 

[pra300]

A few questions -
1 - How is this amp connected to your TV?
2 - Do you have a way to incorporate a subwoofer?

1. Through aux rca
2. Amp does support sub out but I don't need subwoofer, speakers produce enough bass for me.

 

[shibashis]

What am I missing? - warmth, tightness in bass.
About emotion, I have no idea how it's percieved as per audio enthusiasts, but for me it means the sound draws you in, it engages you. For your reference the Swans D1080-IVB cheap active speakers I had - has that magic.

My tv got hdmi arc, optical ports. Not a fan of optical as it can't control volume with remote
control. I prefer rca to control volume with single remote.

Upgrade budget - can spend upto ₹15k

The weakest link at the moment is that RCA analogue output of your TV. I understand that you prefer the convenience of being able to control the volume with the TV's remote but you need a DAC between your TV and the amp. DACs have come a long way and if you spend your 15K judiciously, I believe that will go a long way in improving the output.

Look at Topping DX3 Pro+, it comes with a remote which I think will let you control the volume, it should anyway. Do your research before you buy.

Another option and a very good option is to look for a used AVR from a few years back, you can get them within 20K and will be really good for your situation. The downside is that you will have to look around and find a good deal with the equipment in good condition.