For the last few years I've been mainly listening to music via iTunes/Desktop PC/Studiodock 3i's.
With the advent of Airplay, I wanted to start listening via my old hifi in another room, which consists of an NAD C320 amp and Kef Cresta 2 speakers. I've connected an Airport Express via a Fiio D3 DAC. Most tracks are encoded at 256kbps.
However, my initial reaction to my old hifi has been dissapointment - I was expecting more! There is good detail and accuracy, but somehow the sound seems to "sit back" in the speakers, with a lack of character or intimacy. This improves when I increase the volume, but I feel I shouldn't be having to do that to the extent I am.
Perhaps I am just too used to my Desktop setup - the Studiodocks have a lovely intimate and focussed character to vocals.
The hifi is in quite a large bay windowed room. The speakers are on Atacama stands and I have tried various positions. Musical tastes are vocalists in general, country, jazz, reggae, soul, pop. Not very much guitar-based rock and no classical.
Assuming there are no technical problems, am I basically looking for an upgraded system and if so, where would I start? I don't have a budget in mind, but I would be prepared to pay significantly more than today's equivalent of my amp and speakers.
I would be grateful for any thoughts.
Stuart
With the advent of Airplay, I wanted to start listening via my old hifi in another room, which consists of an NAD C320 amp and Kef Cresta 2 speakers. I've connected an Airport Express via a Fiio D3 DAC. Most tracks are encoded at 256kbps.
However, my initial reaction to my old hifi has been dissapointment - I was expecting more! There is good detail and accuracy, but somehow the sound seems to "sit back" in the speakers, with a lack of character or intimacy. This improves when I increase the volume, but I feel I shouldn't be having to do that to the extent I am.
Perhaps I am just too used to my Desktop setup - the Studiodocks have a lovely intimate and focussed character to vocals.
The hifi is in quite a large bay windowed room. The speakers are on Atacama stands and I have tried various positions. Musical tastes are vocalists in general, country, jazz, reggae, soul, pop. Not very much guitar-based rock and no classical.
Assuming there are no technical problems, am I basically looking for an upgraded system and if so, where would I start? I don't have a budget in mind, but I would be prepared to pay significantly more than today's equivalent of my amp and speakers.
I would be grateful for any thoughts.
Stuart