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Please help - Impotence problem


Okay, forget my impotence problem, I have a more important issue with an impedance problem. Or do I? The latest incarnation of my system sounds truly fantastic and live but only at very high volume. I�ve read somewhere in the past that this may be a sign there�s an impedance mismatch somewhere in the system.

Can someone tell me how to find such a mismatch? I have two Counterpoint NP220 stereo amps bi-amped to a pair of Waveform Mach 13�s with an external crossover. My preamp is a Counterpoint SA-11. I�m assuming the Counterpoints work together so what could the problem be? Currently I�m just running digital (Sony SCD-777es) so I�m not concerned (yet) with my analogue rig.

(the two Counterpoint amps were SA-220's fully upgraded by Elliot with 'low sensitivity' instead of 'high sensitivity' but this is supposed to be the way to go if your preamp can handle it and mike elliot specifically recommends 'low sensitivity' if using with the SA-11 preamp.)

Overall instruments seem unbalanced with too much treble in the forefront, even when adjusting the crossover.

Could it be that the system is simply too bright and that's why i'm feeling the need to turn the volume control up so i can enjoy the midrange? Perhaps the problem is more with cables or a need for power conditioning? oh, god, i'm getting that feeling again. little help?!

Maybe someone out there has a good link for me to read up on this if the answer is too complex.

Thanks in advance.
kublakhan

Showing 4 responses by marakanetz

marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Yes, It sounds cool! It breaks in! OOPS wrong crossover connection or setup!
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Amps creating such problem for sure.
They simply have a high distortion levels at low volumes just like pro-gear.
The two Counterpoint amps had their input stage disconnected and directly fed onto the driving stage so there is nothing realy to mod in that case.

>>>Overall instruments seem unbalanced with too much treble in the forefront, even when adjusting the crossover<<<

...as a product of bi-amplification with Counterpoint gear.

And finally, wait for you to say that Conterpoint sucks! Excuse my Friench.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
1.Counterpoint is about to be broke.
2.Unstable DC offsetts make the amp oscillating. As far as I remember Mike used to give instructions how to bias an output stage(yes, transistors) and under the box it has a trim pots.
3.By bi-amping(horizontal) the stability is even more lost due to the added crosstalk and different load curve complexity -- would not recommend.
4.Built quality and reliability issues. Read out www.altavista.com to find out more about reliability of these amplifiers. I guess they're complete mess in that case.
5.The high sencitivity input stage that was removed is probably inverting cascade with neg. feedback that helps to stabilize driving tubes and so the output stage as well. Bring it back while Counterpoint still exists and + use direct out of your preamp as Albert suggests.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Kulakh,
You're right commenting power! You must have enough current capabilities inside the wall for two amps + power conditioner.
Hence you feel sound improvement at arround 3am when everybody sleeps and using substantially less power devices!
Never mind interconnects or their break-in time! Power is where it gets critical I guess in your case.
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