Donjr
If you replace the outlet you should replace your power cords. Why? And how would anyone know which direction to go with a power cord? |
Thanks Zavato i am too for low cost improvements! |
I'm going to suggest something free. Go to the Cardas website. They have a speaker/room placement calculator which I found to be pretty effective. What was most unexpected is that the bass locked into the room better when I placed the speakers per cardas, which in my case meant pulling them a foot more into the room and away from the back wall. I also wound up bringing my speakers a bit closer together too.
As far as power options are concerned the single biggest impact I ever experienced was when I installed a dedicated 20 amp line to my system. It's a home run straight back to the breaker box, using 10 guage wire. Doing that cost less than a fancy power cord, and was more of an improvement than any power cord I've ever tried. For power distribution I use a simple wiremold power bar that Naim used to recommend, with the amp plugged direct to the wall. I think running the circuit cost about $150!
I'm all for free or low cost real improvements. |
Thanks Donjr, interesting that not all cables make a difference and the idea of a dedicated cicruit for the tv and hifi seems to be a good idea ive already experienced sound degradation when other electric components were on in the house. Also it always sounds better later in the evening and at night if my ears dont play tricks on me...
Hey Evank I tought the diffrence in ohm would have make the zu audio impossible to drive by the primaluna, something i would have to try before i buy for sure. |
Hey Rrog, no its at worst standing still! ;) The thing is if i gotta change the speakers and the amp, dang! Im changing the entire system except the table which is harder to do these days, things moves slowly... |
"thanks for the answers.
Ill try to stick with the primaluna"
This approach is backwards. |
I forgot to mention that I had an electrician run a dedicated circuit for it. That's a very, very big deal. If your wife is blow drying her hair on the same circuit, that's not good. |
I upgraded my wall outlet to a Porter Port and at the same time upgraded my power cord to an Audioquest something or another that cost me around $450. I think the Porter Port was $50. For my Rogue Cronus Magnum it was a noticeable difference. I don't think this was a placebo effect because when I swapped out my speaker cables for $500 I couldn't hear any difference. This makes me one of the cable people who are on the fence. They obviously make a difference but not always. If you replace the outlet you should replace your power cords. |
Zu Omen are 12 OHM amd they will work fine |
thanks for the answers.
Ill try to stick with the primaluna, i kinda like how it sounds, i just want to get the full potential of this little integrated. Kinda dig the built quality and the integrated phono is also great!
Ive read about the Reference 3A a couple times the only thing that bugs me with these is that they are monitors, with two dogs at home ill try to stick with floorstanders. But ill try to find a pair to listen to in case they are that good.
I came close to buy a pair of zu omen just to realize they were 16ohm...dont think that itll fit with my 4 or 8 ohm taps.
Anyone have any idea if its any good upgrading the wall outlets power bar and power cord? |
I used de capos with my PL2 for 4 years. great combo, try rolling some tubes |
Why not call ZU Audio and ask Sean what speakers they make would be a good match for your Prima Luna amp? These guys love tubes and most of their speakers are 98db+ efficient. This may be a good starting place for you. |
Try a pair of Reference 3A mm de capo speakers. I have them paired to a Prologue One and think the synergy is top notch. You get full imaging and the 'disappearing speaker' effect. Placement is critical and room acoustics have to be good, but if you get all that dialed in, you will be very happy. |
From my experience I have found electronics have everything to do with speakers disappearing and your system will never perform to your satisfaction without the the right electronics. |
Hi Slapbackecho - yes, the Klipsch Heritage series are the older ones, MUCH better than the new stuff they make today for home theater. Do not confuse/judge the older line by the newer ones, which are made for a very different purpose and sound nothing like the Heritage line! I use a pair of Cornwall IIs, made in 89, I think, which are quite a bit bigger than the Heresey's. There are some other models in between (Chorus is one), as well as even larger models (La Scala, and their famous Klipschorn, which is the speaker that has been in continuous production for the longest period of time, which tells you something about it's quality). They are designed to match very well with lower-powered tube amps such as the PrimaLuna (and even lower wattage amps). I use a Dialogue 2 with my Cornwalls, and it is a very nice combination. |
Thanks for the answer
I did try some new production klipsch you can buy almost everywhere and i didnt like that sound, the Heresey are something in another league? Did also tried some big jbl with horn that were playing nice but not with my amp, music etc... so its hard to do any comparison this way.
Yes my speaker are in phase, the roome is 24x16 and im doing a reconfig of the room actually so i will only be able to try this in one or two weeks when everything will be in the right place. My speakers are 2 1/2 feet from the wall right now.
Ouch a new amp already! I tought i had a good one...The thing is i want something ptp built, less pcb possible in the circuit, are those other amps built the same way? I always buy used, i simply cant afford that type of stuff new and its more handy when you try to move some gear! |
IMHO RX6 is voiced for rock, you can't expect it to shine on acoustic music. |
Dill's post points in the right direction, IMHO. Electronics have a lot to do with sound but doing the 'disappearing act' is not so much matching speakers and electronics as proper placement of speakers AND your listening position. Good speakers (not necessarily great) are usually adequate for achieving a disappearing act if your set up issues are addressed. If these issues are not addressed you can spend all your want on new electronics and achieve nothing more than changing the tonal balance.
Now once you have achieved good fundamental stereo imaging using a good set up you might want to improve the tonal balance, imaging depth/width, etc, all of which will now possible.
Assuming that you have not really explored set up and want to, perhaps you could post a description of your room (its dimensions and furnishings, walls & windows) and how you presently have your system set up as well as restrictions which will impede any changes (like your wife :-). Quite a few folks here have extensive knowledge on this matter and should be able to help you. For example, you complain of 'boomy' speakers and think it might be connected to the amp you are using, and it could be, BUT it is more likely something as simple as where you have placed your listening chair (possibly in a bass node) or your speakers (due to boundry reinforcement) |
How about a speaker friendly amplifier. My friend tried a Primaluna. He didn't own it very long. Try a used amplifier from Audio Research, VTL, Manley or Conrad Johnson. You get what you pay for. If the new price is too high buy used. |
Sounds like your room or speaker placement might be your problem. Try to get the speakers and your listening position away from the back walls as far as possible. Try different widths and listen to the difference of the sound with the speakers firing straight ahead verses toed in to the listener. Make sure your speakers are in phase, + to +, - to-. How large is your room? |
You might try some horn speakers, perhaps something from the Classic line of Klipsch, such as the Heresey's. |
