Congested sound, new speakers?


Hello out there,

I hope I can use your collective insight, wisdom, and experience to help me out. I am currently running a system comprised of a modified Pioneer DV-525 running into a Z-Systems RDP-1 digital preamp/EQ, then into a Camelot Uther V2 MkIII DAC, directly into a Bel Canto EVO 200.2, powering Thiel CS1.5 speakers, all strung together with DH Labs wire (D-110 digital, BL-1 II balanced interconnects, and Q-10 speaker wire).

My tastes in music have changed over time and I find myself listening less to modestly dynamic, all acoustic music (folk, jazz, solo classical) and more to music with electric instrumentation (fusion, jambands, progressive rock)with sustained high dynamics. While very good with the acoustic material, my system sounds a bit congested and confused with the more complex material. I suspect that it is the small Thiels, but I would like your opinion on different speaker options, considering my shift in listening material. I haven't been speaker shopping for awhile and work has kept me too busy to read much of the audio journals. What do you think? New speakers worth investigating? I am sure I could use some proper room treatment as well, but that is an area that I am not particularly familiar with. Any and all suggestions and advice would be appreciated; I just need to get a handle on some reasonable options! Thanks in advance. . .
stereojen

Showing 1 response by cornfedboy

your problem may be caused by a myriad of variables, the most simple being the source material. have you ever heard the discs you describe playing through your system as "congested" sound righteous on another system? if so, what was it that was different between that system and yours? why do you suspect your speakers and not your electronics or frontend? the fact is that many systems play acoustic/jazz/small ensemble pieces well but fall flat with more complex, well-recorded symphonic or rock software. indeed, to get it all generally requires the best of all components. ("best" does not necessarily="most expensive.") sad but, IMO at least, true. -kelly