Hi Ucsb21, Tell us a little more about your system, are the speakers new? The reason I ask is that some new speakers need to be played for a while so the rubber surrounds can loosen up, and I've read where your speakers are notorious for that and takes lots time. How are they positioned? Try aiming straight ahead with no toe-in and see if that helps, sometimes aiming a tweeter straight at your ears can sound harsh, but not always. also, how close are they to the back wall? Try moving closer or farther, it can change the tonal balance and help sometimes. Maybe a tube CD player will help, if you know someone that has one ask to borrow, their are used ones that come up here on the GON for not too much $. Look for Jolida or AH tube. etc. Good luck!!
poor source material
Hello friends,
Before I begin, let me make a quick disclaimer. I am VERY new to this hobby and just started putting together a budget system the other day, so if this sounds like a stupid question please go easy on me!
Anyways, I currently have a pair of Dynaudio Focus 140s, Rotel CD player and a receiver rated at 100x2. I quickly discovered that I am going to have to invest in a good amp but, I also noticed that a lot of albums (that I used to think sounded ok) sounds terrible on my new system. Of course, room acoustics and gear are partly to blame but, am I wrong in putting the blame largely on the album itself?
Is there anything that can be done to make these poorly recorded albums sound 'better'? Like I mentioned, I will be investing in a nice affordable amp, like a Halo A21 but, I'm not sure how much difference it is going to make. How about adding an equalizer?
I've tinkered with the tone controls and it is a quick fix but, a few albums are still unbearable.
I have also toyed with the idea of setting up a separate budget system on the side, strictly for use with lower quality recordings. I'm thinking of using very affordable gear with 'forgiving' speakers. Is this a stupid idea? Or do I just have to accept the fact that some albums simply will never sound good no matter what you do to them?
Any advice, thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you all so much!!!
Before I begin, let me make a quick disclaimer. I am VERY new to this hobby and just started putting together a budget system the other day, so if this sounds like a stupid question please go easy on me!
Anyways, I currently have a pair of Dynaudio Focus 140s, Rotel CD player and a receiver rated at 100x2. I quickly discovered that I am going to have to invest in a good amp but, I also noticed that a lot of albums (that I used to think sounded ok) sounds terrible on my new system. Of course, room acoustics and gear are partly to blame but, am I wrong in putting the blame largely on the album itself?
Is there anything that can be done to make these poorly recorded albums sound 'better'? Like I mentioned, I will be investing in a nice affordable amp, like a Halo A21 but, I'm not sure how much difference it is going to make. How about adding an equalizer?
I've tinkered with the tone controls and it is a quick fix but, a few albums are still unbearable.
I have also toyed with the idea of setting up a separate budget system on the side, strictly for use with lower quality recordings. I'm thinking of using very affordable gear with 'forgiving' speakers. Is this a stupid idea? Or do I just have to accept the fact that some albums simply will never sound good no matter what you do to them?
Any advice, thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you all so much!!!