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 3 responses by pbb

Un-involving is such a vague word. You don't indicate if these upgrades were done over time, even a relatively short period, or all at once. I would always recommend changing only one component and living with the results a short while to reduce the number of variables and to be able to appreciate the incremental steps the set-up is taking. I think you may be being overly critical of your system, since the sound of your previous one is probably etched in your mind. If I had to guess from this distance, I would point to the overly long cable between pre and power amps; the length, not necessarily the quality as most here would postulate, seems highly dubious to my mind. I presume you may have had that long cable in your previous set-up, maybe your former components were not as sensitive to it. My basic recommendation: go slow, take things one step at a time and throw out the baby with the bathwater. Good day.
Obviouly should have read "DON'T throw out the baby yatta, yatta ... Oops!
Cables are one of the best known cures for audiophilia nervosa, they act directly on the mind of the listener, usually without affecting in any way, shape or form the signal that passes through them. A significant achievement in sound reproduction, right up there with the invention of the phonograph by Berliner. Now if those same cables get cooked or better yet cryoed, well my oh my you are in for the psychoactive treat of a lifetime. Stop dwelling on imaginary faults with systems and buy records to enjoy them. Remember what the dormouse said, feed your head, feed your head.