Shop w/me


I am in the process of upgrading my current system: the only possible holdover are Linn Klimaxx monoblocks. I listen to jazz, rock, blues mainly. As I stat to audition stuff, I will keeing a journal here: any comments, feedback, ideas, more than welcome. I listen only to CDs and SACDs...apologies to analogue fans (I have no qualms, just don't like the required storage space and software availability!)

1st Audtion:
target: Wilson Watt Puppy 7s
retailer system: Spectral amps and Audio Rsch CD3. arcici suspense rack. unforuntately retailer here in Asia try to stick to their own systems: indeed I wanted to try the Sophias too which they did not have in stock

Impressions
Ben Allison: Peace Pipes: transient detail, attack simply outstanding, imagin quite good but sound stage a bit narrow?
Caia: MAgic Dragon: try chill out and see what they can do: tweeter clarity outstanding as I can hear the dinstant triangles more clearly than my current Proac Response 4s Bass very solid and taut, perhaps too much. But something is bothering me...I wonder what it is
Patrica Barber: Modern Cool: perhaps vocals will the stopry: sounds very ,live, u r there. distance btwn mouth and mike easy to tell...but still
Dennis Chambers: Outbreak: let's see if it can boogie: bass kick drum well defined, elec bass slapping transients/attack great: no muddiness whatsoever...yet soundstage underwhelming

soundstage and lack of sweetness seems to be a common theme: is it the amps? excessive toe in? will tubes help? needs to warm up? hmmmm

Oliver Nelson: Stolen Moments..ahhh...that's more like it. Perhaps it WAS the recordings. Same thing happens w/ Little Feat's remastered Waiting For Columbus. And w/ David Sanborn....is it warming up?

Back to Scott Henderson Well To The Bone: yuk....back to same issues and worse. Cannot rock out.

Overall: biggest thing is very accurate, transient detail, attack, ...but soundstage cld be an issue, and certainly not sweet...biggest issue for me: did not make me want to dance when it should, and less involving than my set up (Pro Ac Response 4) for some reason though certainly more "hi-fi". Possibly much better with different amps and less toe-in, but should keep in mind

Well, one is never convinced at first try: this only the first of many. May be I will come back to this: I did like the looks though, and perfect physical size for me: also liked the arcici suspense racks though how much they contributed to the sound, I have no idea

Next audition to come: comparing Linn Klimaxx-Kontrol vs HP200-Radia.
henryhk

Showing 3 responses by gregm

The Klimax *should* be able to drive the Kharma -- as to whether you like the result... you MUST try the speakers (any short-listed speaker) with your amps.

As to a suitable pre-amp: Linn makes its own which is expensive; admittedly, it's also very good.

I would really belabour the speaker issue: try as many as you can. For example, Kharma and Avalon often use similar drive unit complements, so Avalon could be another choice if you like Kharma.

The Wilsons' bass response: a frequency response plot I saw shows a small hump at around 50-70Hz if I remember correctly. If memory serves well and there is such a hump, it is not necessarily indicative of better bass -- rather, certain frequencies are pronounced giving the impression of more bass. Again, if I remember correctly, the Sophia have a smoother bass region than the 7. As always, however, it's a matter of taste.

A final note: the Proac 4 are arguably very good speakers. What do you want to improve on -- or, what don't you like about them??
If you're not doing this already through a cd/sacdp volume, you might try out the Klimax + short-listed speakers combo with a (passive) attenuator. This experiment will help you gauge timbre & tonality with the speakers under consideration. In order to do this, all you need is to know the input impedance of the Klimax and choose the right value for the volume pot (the wrong value will make the sound "thin" i.e. lacking in low-mids & bass).
Hmmm, that's a tough load. If you find a pot rated at 220kOhm or higher & yr source has a benign output impedance (say ~150 Ohm or lower) with the usual voltage, you should be able to do it! If you set it up and listen at various volume levels, you'll easily identify at which position(s) the pot sounds best -- and you're set!
I have 10kOhm amps input and 22 Ohm output fm the cdp. Using a very cheapo 220kOhm pot, I get the job done famously!