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  3. 1327190015

Frustrated with the sound of my system

Here is my system:
Rotel RCD-965BX CD Player as transport
MSB Link 2 DAC
Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 Signature preamp
Classe 10 amplifier
North Creek Audio Borealis speakers (Custom built kit speaker...something close to a Proac Response 2.5 design)
M&K V-75 sub
Kimber and Cardas interconnects
Kimber 4TC/8TC bi-wire speaker cables.

Here is my frustration:
The sound, regardless of music, sounds stringent, hard, really lacks air, and is anything but relaxed. It is fatigueing. I can listen to my Grado 60 headphones on an iPod and the sound is frustratingly more relaxed and has what I would call air.

I don't think that my system is that outstanding, but it really seems like I should be more pleased with what I am hearing.

I would be interested in your thoughts on where the most likely opportunity is. I really like the individual components of the system (OK the Rotel/MSB set up is old and just OK), but all together they seem to be underwhelming. I am thinking it is either in improving the digital front end (new player or DAC) or moving to a planar speaker to get the sound I desire. I have thought about new player like an OPPO 93 or 95, perhaps a tube based player or DAC, or else looking at something like a used pair of Maggie 12's or 1.6's. I have always enjoyed the Maggie sound.

In either case I am thinking that $2k is the absolute max I would want to spend on any solution. Thanks in advance. If there are other questions I would be glad to supply details.
stuartbmw3

Showing 8 responses by rrog

rrog
1,958 posts
 


THE END!
rrog
1,958 posts
 
You have quite a conglomeration of components and cables going on there. The fact that you are unhappy with the sound is a perfect example of buying recommended components without knowing how they will work together. This is why, when in doubt, it is better to stay with like brands of various components since they are designed to work together. Your SFL-1 is known to be on the forward/thin side and I have no idea how it mates with the Classe, but the Classe amps I have heard after the DR series sounded less then full bodied to me.

For starters I recommend trimming your system down to locate the problem. Take the subwoofer and DAC out of the system and just work with the basic system. Try a warmer tube in your preamp and experiment with different cables before changing components.

Without knowing a single thing about the room or how the system is set up in the room a recommendation for room treatment is absolutely rediculous.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Arbuckle, Is lipstick on a pig like earrings on a monkey?
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Bradluke0, I disagree. Furniture, window treatment (drapes), bookcases, etc. are in fact very effective room treatment. Compare an empty room to a furnished room and hear the difference while clapping your hands.

David Manley, the founder of VTL and Manley Labs, designed a studio for his ViTaL recordings. The studio was designed of wood with specific angles and notches in the walls to control the room's sound. There was no commercial acoustical treatment at all.

Room treatment is necessary at times, but lately it seems to be highly overrated and in many cases used as a band aid to overcome problems within the system. Throwing more and more money at a system is not always the answer to achieving good sound.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Shakeydeal, The room does not always contribute 75-80% of the end result. That sounds like advertising by someone who makes or sells acoustical treatment. A recommendation for room treatment is ridiculous without knowing anything about the OP's room or how the system is set up. If the OP's room is 30'x20' and the speakers and listening position are arranged for near field listening would you still say the room is contributing 75-80% and room treatment will solve the OP's problems?
rrog
1,958 posts
 
You guys are crackin' me up. There are times when room treatment is obviously needed like when the listening position is backed up to a wall. Treating the wall behind you is a must to eliminate reflections off that wall. However, lately it seems whenever someone is not satisfied with the sound of their system room treatment becomes the hot topic. Honestly, looking at the OP's system I would rather have a CJ preamp than Sonic Frontiers with Classe any day and maybe that would be a good place to start.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Newbee, The OP states the speakers are almost placed across a corner. I take that to mean diagonal placement. If that is the case the majority of your post regarding speaker placement does not apply. The same is true of the Cardas program which does not work for the majority of people.

The OP knows the speaker placement is not ideal, but has constraints based on room layout and aesthetics.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Spaz, Newbee, Almarg, We all know about the room and how important it is. We also know about speaker placement. Read the OP's second post. "I know the speaker placement is probably not ideal, but I do have some constraints based on room layout and aesthetics." Something tells me it's not going to happen.
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