2. amps-preamps
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Trying to find an amp that matches my tastes (aka death metal)

So I think I am ready to change my set up/upgrade.

My current analog chain is VPI Prime (Orto 2m Bronze) > MX-VNYL > PrimaLuna Prologue Classic > Zu Omen DW mkII. Digital is Rega Apollo > PrimaLuna Prologue Classic > Zu Omen DW mkII

I feel like I am ready to move into separates and have my eyes on either the Schiit Freya + / Aegir monoblocks or a Rogue RP-1 / First Watt J2.

The issue I have is access to local dealers and also my musical tastes.

Not discounting people's likes, but so much of the audio world is geared towards Rock/Classical/Jazz and I have a very difficult time finding reviews that cite death metal/hardcore/trash metal. I also listen to a good deal of scores and jazz, but a large potion of my time is spent with bands that sound like the following:

Gorguts - Obscura

Death - Lack of Comprehension

Mare Cognitum - Weaving The Thread Of Transcendence
The issue I feel I am having is that I am not hearing much detail or clarity. Some of that might be down to the recordings, but I am wondering if there is a different set up? Would a move to tube/SS help? or all SS? Maybe a SS amp and a passive pre?

I don't feel I want to chase warmth, I'd rather feel like I am at a show or in the recording studio, if that makes sense.

Any help is appreciated!
kcdd

Showing 2 responses by geof3

geof3
1,129 posts
 
Being a bit of a metalhead myself, though not as deep as you, I think you will find it has more to do with source than equipment. Most metal is very compressed and very harsh. Just the nature of the beast. Might be worthwhile to source a good eq, or perhaps a good integrated that has eq/tone and see if you can come up with a setting just for the thrash. One of the best recorded "metal" albums IMO is either Megadeth’s Rust in Peace, or Metallica’s Master of Puppets. Note these are old recordings and were done right for their time. I haven’t heard a recent metal album that I would say "sounds good" overall. Slip Knot is a bit of an exception here, but still not great. Difficult music to get right. It is too bad really, there are some seriously excellent musicians not getting their product out and represented well. Try the above, Rust in Piece specifically, and go from there.
geof3
1,129 posts
 
"I do tend to use mid era slayer to evaluate. The production on south of heaven is rich as hell."

Ah yes, forgot about that one! Some good old Cowboys in Hell is fun too!

And I would tend to agree with the above regarding equipment. You definitely need fast speakers that can handle the "tick" of current blast beat kick drums, along with the heavy mids of detuned guitars. Current metal is just slamming. In fact, I try to avoid a "box of chocolate" mixes when I put together various playlists. Invariably the metal stuff (Def Tones, In This Moment and a few others that are on the list) pop up at a nominal volume set for other styles and just blast overall. Good ol' metal. I usually listen to my metal stuff very specifically to avoid this. Best thing to do is walk into your local Hi-Fi store with South as Heaven que'd up and have fun. Then watch the sales person wince with your music selection. Lucky for me, my local guy is a closet metalhead and we get to have fun with some of the "big stuff". To date, McIntosh for whatever reason, seems to handle metal very well through a variety of speakers.
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