You really shouldn’t need an equalizer, and the McIntosh is doing you no favors given your tastes. I’d first look for a new preamp, which I’d first recommend you look at Anthem. If you’re using EQ something is likely wrong elsewhere. That said, I’d say stay with Focal or take a look at Revel. But, if you change the preamp first I think you’ll be much happier. The McIntosh is working against you given your tastes and you’re fighting to correct for that mismatch. That’s not fun and I’d say stop beating your head against the wall. If you need an AVP I’d highly recommend you look at Anthem, but if you just need a stereo pre Bryston should be high on your list. Best of luck.
Do my ears deceive me??
The money is in the bank, thinking of upgrading speakers, but everything I demo is no better or worse than what I have. Willing to spend up to $6,000. Upgraditis?? My main system is Mcintosh MX 134 that I bought in 2003, with a pair of Focal 836v's and a Parasound 5250 (250w/channel) amp I bought around 2012. I either blew the tweeters or crossover on my 836's, so they are in for repair. Since I've owned them for 10 years, I was considering new speakers. The blades are way more than I would spend, but I also demoed the Kef R11s, Martin Logan xtf 200's, Mcintosh XR 100s, and B&W 703 S3.
None of them sounded better than what I'm hearing right now from my BP 2006s. Would I really need to demo them in my room to make a fair comparison?? Or are speakers just not much better than they were 20 years ago? I know I love detail, and tend to lean towards aluminum tweeters. I pretty much only listen to classic rock and roll. Of all I demoed, I really like the B&W 706s. They sounded much brighter/cleaner than the others. But they had the reciever set up so I couldn't adjust the treble/bass. I love a V equalizer curve, and bump up the bass and treble a bit on my home/car systems. Maybe I just have the good luck of prefering cheaper speakers.
Showing 5 responses by soix
I’ll reiterate, your problem is your Mac preamp. Its sound profile is exactly opposite of your sound preferences. My advice — buy something like this and if it doesn’t significantly improve your sound and maybe even negate the need for any EQ at all just turn around and sell it for little/no loss. My guess is once you’ve heard this in your system the Mac will never be in their ever again. |
No manufacturer — and I mean ZERO— uses any EQ in their audio systems at high-end audio shows. Why do you think that is? If Magico, Wilson, Joseph Audio, Rockport, Vandersteen, Audio Research, etc. don’t ever use EQ at shows that they pay a boatload of $$$ to attend, what do you think you know that they don’t? Are you smarter than them? If the answer is no, you really gotta think about your whole system because something is clearly off. Or just keep polishing the turd with EQ. Whatever makes you happy is all good. |
@charles1dad I agree, but I also thought it important to point out that most high-end systems need no EQ. If the OP wants to keep using EQ that’s perfectly fine. I was just trying to be helpful that maybe he should explore the rest of his system to maybe see WHY he’s feeling the need to use EQ. That’s all. |
@unreceivedogma Heh heh, that’s a good one! |