Upgrading..What to buy?

[jjoyz]

I've been spending hours searching on this forum..from knowing nothing about hifi to maybe knowing a bit..forum has helped a lot in my quest for better sound for my music needs :clapping:

So I'll start by posting my current setup..
Nad 326bee
PSB alpha b1
Nuforce uDAC
Audio Technica ATH M50

The uDac is connected to my pc via USB and that is where I play all my music from..mostly mp3s ranging from 192-320kbps..

I had purchased the speakers(new) before the amp..bought the nad (used) later on..
Although I find my current setup great for near field or low volume listening but the higher i go i feel its lacking in bass as i like my music loud (hard rock/metal)..I'm not a basshead but a little bass would never hurt when you want to headbang to some loud music ..

I feel I need to upgrade something to reach the audio nirvana that I desire..Hard Rock/Metal sound can be hard to recreate or whatever I guess when i consider my budget but still want something more out of my system.
I'm moving to a new room (14 x 12) soon..current room is around 10 x 10
So I have a few questions..what would be better..first step..

Upgrading to a better soundcard/dac?
Upgrading to better speakers..say the PSB B6?
Buying a subwoofer?
Using better source material..flacs or something?
Or something else?

Budget is different for each of these...say 5k for the dac/soundcard...10-15 k for a subwoofer (used is fine) ...oh yes anybody knows the current price of the PSB B6?

Really appreciate you reading all of this and thanks in advance.

 

[jagdish_p]

Do you like the sound when you listen through headphones?

Have you tried playing original audio CDs or Flacs from reliable source? Some of the FLACs are not good quality.

Based on above you can decide on the upgrade path

 

[Santy]

IMO, your next upgrade should be a better DAC.
There is a Parasound DAC on sale, do check it out.

 

[gobble]

I would not recommend spending $$$ on a dac whe the primary material is 128-320kbps mp3. A sub may be the way to go. Also ensure the quility of interconnect and speaker cables is decent. If you are using local grade cables then try BJ or anti-cable brands.

Dont spend more on cables for mp3.

~G0bble

 

[afj]

for your setup, most items are matched pretty well. small upgrades may not give you value for money. if i were you i would be looking to upgrade the speakers first. perhaps to the kef q300.

as for your bass, i have the same problem too with my nad. nad's sound signature, though big, is warm and laid back. the bass is a little distant and could do with a little tightening up when it comes to hard rock

 

[jjoyz]

Thanks for the replies guys..

Do you like the sound when you listen through headphones?

Have you tried playing original audio CDs or Flacs from reliable source? Some of the FLACs are not good quality.

Based on above you can decide on the upgrade path

Sound is fine through my headphones yes..
Have not tried playing audio CDs from a reliable source..I can play them from my computer..Don't have a CDP.

IMO, your next upgrade should be a better DAC.
There is a Parasound DAC on sale, do check it out.

Checked the sale thread..Too costly for me. I can look around for other dacs..

I would not recommend spending $$$ on a dac whe the primary material is 128-320kbps mp3. A sub may be the way to go. Also ensure the quility of interconnect and speaker cables is decent. If you are using local grade cables then try BJ or anti-cable brands.

Dont spend more on cables for mp3.

~G0bble

Ok so a sub maybe..ok..I am using Supra classic mini 1.6 cables for the speakers and a bandridge RCA cable from amp to the udac.

for your setup, most items are matched pretty well. small upgrades may not give you value for money. if i were you i would be looking to upgrade the speakers first. perhaps to the kef q300.

as for your bass, i have the same problem too with my nad. nad's sound signature, though big, is warm and laid back. the bass is a little distant and could do with a little tightening up when it comes to hard rock

Have heard a lot of good things about the kef q300..But the bass prob would still be there then..

Decisions decisions

 

[jagdish_p]

If you like the sound from headphones and not from speakers then the speakers should be the first upgrade . Or if you are looking for Bass add a sub

Try playing audio CDs from your computer through your existing DaAC and see if there is an improvement