Opinions on why this system is uninvolving


I have just upgraded my system in a number of ways from Snell Type A/IIs to Revel Studios; from Audible Illusions Modulus 2 to Hovland HP-1; and from the earliest EADs to Metronome Technology DAC and transport. I find the system uninvolving much of the time. I also find it lacking in dimensionality, find it sometimes hard sounding and I notice image wander. Here's the whole system:

Revel Studios
Hovland HP-1
MFA 200C mono amps
Metronome DAC and Transport
Shunyata Hydra on amps
Power Wedge I on other components
Various high end cords incl. Top Gun, Shunyata Mamba and EMI whales
Tara Prime (or perhaps 1800) speaker cables (bi-wiring)
Audioquest Ruby interconnects between amps and pre amp (about 30-foot run)
Hovland interconnct between DAC and preamp
Siecor optical AT&T between DAC and transport

Any thoughts on how to arrest these problems would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking about trying solid state amps like the Pass 250 or 350, the McCormack DNA line, Proceed or Rowland, but I'm not really sure that will make a sginficiant difference. I know it could change the sound signficantly, but not necessrily for the better (which I realize is completely subjective anyway).
znak_m

Showing 2 responses by cdc

While it's okay to keep tweaking the system, if you don't loose too much on the speakers (since they were demos) my guess is you will never be happy with Revels. Unless maybe a tube preamp - I don't know what your preamp is now.
Accurate sound does not have to be clinical. But Bbtuna made one of the best statements that I have also discovered:
"system was "univolved" or "thin" at times since there is no coloration"
That's how my system sounds. Problem is when you add coloration, good recordings could sound bad while bad recordings could sound better. Overall I think you're loosing out by adding colorations. But that is just my opinion.
I would recommend ATC active 100's or 50's. You can see a photo of passive ATC 50's that are being sold at Audiogon now. They are very accurate but not sterile like Revels. I found Spendor 1/2's, Vandersteen 2 and 3 are nice but colored or have box resonances and don't think that is where you'd want to go.
Other warmer speakers that you could try are JM Reynaud Evolutions or Aerial Acoustics. Accurate but warm. JMR talks about the "trailing edge" of the note while Revels are "leading edge of the note" speakers.
Studios must not be very good. I've been to two Revel dealers. When I tell them I own B&W they won't even let me listen to Revel. Waste of their time I guess.