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Hyperacusis. Looking for recommendations

Hello everyone. Haven't posted to the forums in years but certainly been buying up all sorts of things lately. Ordered an Angstrom Stella amp that should be here next week. While the audio bug has reignited, unfortunately, so has my inability to actually enjoy music the way many of you might. If you are unfamiliar with Hyperacusis, it is the over-sensitivity to sound. Anything and everything can get very loud and sometimes painful. Sometimes it messes with my head so much I wind up half way ill for a few days. So, of course I haven't "turned it up" or anything. I've refined the DSP output through Roon to level out the peaks that really drive me nuts. However, the problem still lies within the overall mixing of most music. There's a reason things simply sound better when you do turn it up. Unfortunately, I don't get to experience that. 

So, I'm here to ask for assistance from you knowledgable folks on recommendations for speakers and, perhaps, amplifier combos that can still sound lively and engaging at low volumes (50-55dB, tops). Seems that speakers are going to be the main component at this stage so that why I posted here. But I'm looking for anything else that may be of help. While I'm typing, I thought that maybe electrostats might be a good way to go since they aren't point source (the spread would actually help I think). Hell, maybe those paired with the Angstrom would be a good fit? Maybe. Anyway. Trying not to write a book here. You get the picture. I've never tried to go the ultra-low volume route before so I don't know what would work well. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, folks!

tiggerfc

Showing 1 response by tiggerfc

tiggerfc OP
153 posts
 

Thanks to everyone for replying back with some excellent ideas. Sorry I couldn’t chime in sooner. Work. You know...

JD! Yes! I ordered the Stella. I saw all the tubes, did a double-take, counted 16, initially, bought it, recounted to 20 and was like..OMG. That was the fastest audio purchase decision of my entire life. All of one minute from finding the ad to purchasing. Lol. It is what it is. I’m stoked to finally get it (maybe next week?).

As for the other speaker recommendations, I have taken notes and will start down-selecting. I am certainly looking for full range. I’ve demo’d Spatial Audio’s M3 Sapphires before. That was different. Smooth. Warm. Nice detail. Not "hot." But moving away from the sweet spot was detrimental. The AAD 2001 speakers I currently have playing in the background sound excellent even way across the house. That’s nice because if my ears are on fire but I still want to listen, I just turn it up and chill in another room. Not the greatest experience but it does the trick.

I have a bit of audio gear now and the PS Audio Stellar 1200 mono blocks seem to be able to play very quiet and capable of the slightest nuance (much better than my ears would hear!), but the ARC SP-20 won’t let them go as quiet as the Creek, but sounds 100x better. Also has a ton more body, where the Creek was smoother and silkier. Easier to listen to the Creek but again, the sound quality isn’t quite there. That’s why I also ordered the Stella because an integrated, in my experience, has more latitude in volume control. I miss my last integrated quite a bit. Had that one for just over 10 years which I modded, rewired and all. Sounded phenomenal for a crappy Chinese hybrid integrated. But, it did the job! I’d love to build another if I can find another Bada laying around somewhere. I digress...

As for SET amps and high-efficiency speakers, that may be the ticket for "those days." Besides, who the hell doesn’t love a cool little 1W tube amp?!

Anyhow....

Thanks again everyone for the support and recommendations. And to those of you suffering from one form of hearing loss or another, I feel for you as well. It’s a crime to lose something so important, especially when we love good audio and appreciate that gift the way we do.

Lastly, if you haven’t heard, check out www.soundpharma.com. They are in Stage 3 clinical trials for a drug to treat tinnitus, vertigo and other inner ear dysfunction. I’m watching closely. Pray they make it through! It would be the first drug of its kind to enter the market to treat such things. Pretty incredible if it happens. Anyway, thought I’d share some good news. But don’t smoke that cigar yet. The fat lady hasn’t sung yet. Don’t jinx it!

John

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