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Input requested

After a fair amount of work, I'm close to saying my system is complete for the goals I set. Honestly, I thought I would be done at this point, but have found that my sound seems to break up with louder passages, and I am inclined to say my speakers are the culprit. My system is as follows:

Source: Linn Ikemi
Preamp: AES DJH (6SN7 tubes and tube rectification)
Power Amp: Forte 4a
Speakers: N805

Cables
Source to preamp: RSA Poeima!
Preamp to power: VH Pulsar
Power to speakers: Goertz MI2 biwire

The system is very pleasing with lite passages, and quite honestly, I require nothing more. However, in larger orchestral movements and some rock, the sound breaks up. And while the Ikemi is a valid link to focus on, I honestly think I have accomidated it's problems with external vibrations. Thus, I am looking at my speakers and scrubbing my experience against some of the criticisms of the N805.

If this is a valid link to focus on, then I need to build a consideration set for new monitors. Currently, I am looking at the highly acclaimed Merlin TSM and the Focus 688. Problem with both those is that there are no local dealers!

So I'd like to know if there are any other 'gonners out there who have wrestled with my issue or offer an opinion of where to direct my attention.

As always, thanks in advance.
mprime

Showing 2 responses by joeabrams

joeabrams
132 posts
 
I think I can help you with the break-up problem. Before you change anything else, try putting the Goertz spkr cable aside and substituting -- not permanently; just for the purpose of this experiment -- some generic zip cord or $1/ft Monster or Radio Shack/Home Depot Monster clone. You may find that the problem is gone.

As VP of Threshold Corp during the "golden years" of the Forte' 1A and Model 4, I can tell you that THAT amp does not get along with highly capacitive cable.

If the experiment turns out as predicted -- please let the Forum know either way -- and if you do decide to switch speaker cables, there are many types that have more compatible specs: Cardas, MIT, Kimber, AudioQuest (I'm not familiar with the new models that need batteries), Monster, and TARA Labs, among them.

Best of luck!
Joe Abrams
joeabrams
132 posts
 
Nelson Pass' designs are no more sensitive to high capacitance cables than other wide-bandwidth solid state amplifiers.
Painting with a broad brush, solid state amps whose high frequency response extends well beyond 20k can become unstable when used with a high capacitance speaker cable. My comment regarding the Forte' 4 was meant to get that point across to a user who might be having that exact problem.

Generally speaking: if you have a solid state amp that does not have a transformerized output, it's not a good idea to use high capacitance cable -- most times these cables can be recognized by their shape; either very flat or very skinny. Also, any cable whose marketing literature says that "inductance must be avoided" is highly suspect. Inductive cables are fine for solid state but not for tube amps. High capacitance cables are fine for tube amps, but not for solid state.
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