List : Components with high dynamics


I have to admit that I like high dynamics among other things when it comes to my components. For all of you who like me like to try new components every so often and have come across a highly touted component that is rather sluggish and dissapointing, could you name some of the highly dynamic component out there you know of.

I'll start with the following:

Symphonic Line
Krell
BAT
Eastern Electric Minimax
PrimaLuna Dialogue II
audiogabby

Showing 4 responses by shadorne

ATC Speakers are world reknown for dynamics. Bryston amps also (but can be
harsh in the highs) - however there are great many power amps that are
dynamic (hundreds last time I loooked - so the power amp is rarely the
limiting factor in most systems). Benchmark DAC1 is also recognized by
nearly everyone as being extremely dynamic while still sounding smooth in
the highs. I can't say for TT but my limited experience (from years ago) is that
you need to buy 12" 45 rpm if you want the best dynamics on Vinyl.

The trick with dynamics is to start with a good recording then a system with a
clear background (no distortion or noise from harmonic, IMD, driver ringing/
resonance and jitter) and a great transient response (best transients today are
in active speaker designs where phase response is near perfection as amp is
matched to driver and phase can be adjusted precisely). Most people think
you need high slew rates but to me this is a misnomer. Typically sealed boxes
work best in speakers and apart from ATC in dynamic speakers you need to
look into high quality TAD horn designs, which have long been reknown for
dynamics (JBL, Lansing, Aubsperger, Westlake's, Tannoys horns are all
dynamic etc. and I would add in particular with extra emphasis Meyer). Of
crucial importance are drivers specifically designed for low thermal
compression (vented and with huge massive drive motors with seriously large
4 inch voice coils and huge excursion => the complete opposite of north
european mass produced most popular drivers on the market today) Another
factor is the room - you need a fair amount of absorption to create that dry
"punchy" feel with a black background and depth - in a bright
room everything will simply sound muddy and cluttered and without proper
contrast.

Two cents.....I expect you will get answers all over the map as everyone
probably thinks they have a dynamic setup...but a visit to most any high end
studio would part most people's hair and blow them away in terms of
dynamics.
Moderate dynamics is indeed achievable with any particular good match but horns and pro-design big box speakers are definitely more highly dynamic than most other speaker types. I would have thought this was self evident to anyone who has been to a concert? Soundstage do not perform test measurements on home audio speakers above 100 db SPL because, according to them, most would be destroyed....a simple fact like this pretty much says it all.
Tvad,

Hey no worries - I wasn't keeping score - although you seem to be! I expect most will agree with you that 99% of audiophiles have no use for high dynamic components that can reproduce music realistically, as if it were live. So FWIW you scored the winning blow. I ignominiously admit that my zeal for horns and pro gear got the better of me and you burst my bubble ;-)
I'll build the pro PA stack and put the easy chair right smack in the middle where the sheep pen used to be.

Watch out. A huge heard of audiophile sheep was seen heading towards your barn this afternoon! I guess they heard about your concert?