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Help mismatch maybe?

Hello folks,

I recently purchased a pair of Quad 21L2's here on Agon. I tried them with some older Adcom electronics, which were uninvolving. Having read alot of good things about Nad products, and since they were in my price range, I purchased a C372 Intergraded amp here on Agon. The sound of the Nad and Quads are very detailed which I like more then less. Although, I would like the sound to be a little fuller & organic in the midrange. As it stands right now, the system sounds as though the treble control is almost maxed and the bass control is half way on the minus side. (I am in tone defeat mode).
My wife who is also my listening buddy, finds the setup too bright for her ears, and she is unable to listen with me now, unless the volume is very low. Our listening tastes in music range from Classical, to Classic Rock to Jazz, to Female/Male vocals, and everything in between.

Our front end consist of a Arcam FMJ CD23. IC's are of the Monster, and Z squared varity. PC's are PS and Z squared types. SC's Monster M2's Speakers are on the long wall in a Near Field configuration far away from the side walls and at least 3 feet from the rear. I have tried various placement scenario's and the NF seems to be the best overall.

Now, Is it possible That the Nad and the Quads are a mismatch?
If so, I would like to keep the Quads. If it's the electronics, I would like to stay with a Intergrated amp.
Are there any simular experiences, or recommendations you could offer?

Any help along these lines would be appreciated.
Thanks.
mickey13

Showing 7 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
Make sure speakers are not out of phase (+ to + and - to - on both sides is correct).

If so and still a major bass problem, I'd say its probably the room + add a sub maybe if you are sure the NAD is in good operating condition. Try the combo in a smaller room maybe to make sure everything is working as it should before changing out anything though.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
If upgrading is an option, maybe the 22L with dual woofs might help?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
Atmasphere,

I understand your argument from other threads, I think, but aren't 99% of our systems technically "mismatched" based on your criteria?

What about an amp that doubles into 4 and 2 ohms better than the NAD, say a good Class D or a modest Musical Fidelity A3CR for that matter? Is there a better solution for speakers with complex loads of 8 ohms or less?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
NAD is not always the smoothest on top end, but lack of bass in this system does surprise me also. I doubt lack of bass is due to teh NAD. I've heard them I believe on NAD electronics in a sizable showroom and did not notice an inherent bass problem. Of course, all rooms are different. The 22L did have a bit more inherent bottom end in comparison in the same showroom however.

Play with location some more as mb9061 suggests maybe.

Amps that double power output into 4 and 2 ohms, like some Musical Fidelities and many Class Ds will inherently do bass better than the NAD though.

Onkyo has a new 80 watt/ch Class D integrated that has gotten great reviews frommany and it can be had for under $500 I believe. That would be a low cost alternative to try perhaps if needed.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
"OTOH, look at a B&W 802. There is not a tube amp in the world that will play bass right on that speaker- you need transistors, as the woofers are running at 3 db less efficiency as the midrange and tweeters are. You need an amp that will double power when it encounters the 4 ohm woofer load, while the rest of the speaker is 8 ohms. That makes the woofers play at the same level as the rest of the system."

Atmasphere,

I'm not certain, but I'm thinking the Quad 21L2s (two way dynamic floor standers) of concern here are not designed for tube amps and are more like the B&W's regarding load so that an amp that doubles to 4 and 2 ohms is the right match for these particular speakers and that this will also put the owner in the best position to move them away from the walls for better imaging with sufficient and more balanced bass.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
Atmasphere,

OK, but the Quad 21Ls in question here are not electrostats. They are conventional box designs (2 way floorstanders) with a 6 ohm nominal impedance, I believe.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
"Even an A3.2CR which can be had for around $600 used"

... or MF A3CR in about the same price range. I bought exactly for a similar bass/loading issue with my larger Ohms and it really nailed it.
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