Ever Been Too High?


I recently bought a used pair of Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 speakers after reading so many positive comments about them on the web. All of my amps are SS, but range in age from the 1970s to the 2000s, so I figured at least one of them would be a good match for the Sierras. After hooking them up in three different 2-channel systems, I began to think that these were not speakers I could ever tolerate - the top end was just too hot for my tastes. Finally, I tried them in my third-tier HT setup, and even there, the highs were too prominent. To my ears, the sound was somewhat 'etched' and listener fatigue set in fairly quickly.This morning, I reached the option of last resort and decided to hook them up to the Sansui 5000X in my bedroom system.Holy cow! New life was breathed into this 50-year old receiver and even FM sounds fantastic. The Sierras sound much more balanced, and the bass is to die for. The 5000X was designed and built before LSI chips were developed, meaning there are a ton of transistors, diodes, and other electrolytics occupying its innards. I think that's what accounts for a large part of that 'vintage sound' you get with older gear, and it can be a good thing sometimes. It's certainly working in this case.So, my question is, has anyone else tried the Sierra 1s and had this same issue with them, or am I odd man out? Or maybe there were other speakers you felt that way about, but refused to give up and finally found what seemed to be a godsend of a solution to your listening dilemma?
discnik

Showing 3 responses by millercarbon

I've seen it raining fire in the sky. Friends around the campfire and everybody's high. Oh wait. Nevermind. That was John Denver.
Is that what they call "In the bag"?


"In the bag" goes back to small game like birds hunters would shoot and put in a bag. At that point it is a done deal, secure, etc. Before that it was a bird in hand, which we all know is worth two in the bush. Later still at dinner eating the bird is putting on the feed bag, which was what they would fill with oats and strap on to a horse. This all may have bagged you more than you need. Which is fitting. The Volcano was a very big bag.

A local audiobud has this thing called a Volcano. Fills the bag, smoke cools, man can you ever get a big hit. Not the only time I have been too high but certainly the most recent.