2. amps-preamps
  3. 1403859541

Upgrade advice needed

Let me tell you my story.

Piece by piece, I've been gradually building an audiophile quality system.

My system is a Toshiba Laptop w/ J River playing FLAC files into a Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2. The laptop is dedicated exclusively as a music server. I've stripped most of the background processes from the Laptop and disconnected from the internet. The only external connections are the USB line to the DAC and a Mouse connected by the other USB connector

I don't have a preamp, the W4S DAC has onboard volume control.

I'm using a NAD 356 BEE Integrated amp but bypassing the preamp module and routing the DAC input directly to the power amp. The speakers are Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grands. I use LAT International SS-800 MkII 6 ft speaker cords and Pangea AC-14, 14 Gauge after market power cords for the NAD amp and the DAC. I installed Albert Porter Outlets. I do not have any power conditioners.

I live in an apartment so room treatments and dedicated circuit wires are out.

Musical tastes are primarily chamber music and some classic jazz of 1950s and 60s.

I listen near field - 6 feet from speakers and prefer moderate volume. I don't have much interest in Home theater or television in general.

My biggest source of frustration is the reproduction of violins and pianos. I recently ripped a CD of Bachs Violin Sonatas by Arthur Grumiaux. The sound is so harsh a cannot listen for more then 10 minutes.

My issue with pianos is the percussive aspect of the instrument seems to overwhelm the musical tone. I have a collection of Chopin Polonaises and it sounds like the artist is playing the piano keys with a hammer.

Other instruments sound better -- Cellos, brass, woodwinds, vocals.

I'm wondering what the next step in my upgrade evolution should be. I been intrigued by the First Watt line of amps. They seem to be a good fit for me. But, I don't know, will that address my issues with violins?

I could spend up to 5K now and, perhaps a year from now, I could swing another 5K for the next component

I'd welcome any suggestions.
cjk5933

Showing 1 response by newbee

newbee
4,795 posts
 
Before you start chasing a solution to your problem by replacing electronic's (or speakers, even) take a few moments to insure that your problem can't be reduced substantially by speaker placement re the walls (1st reflection points) and the amount of toe in you are using. Perhaps you might even post what your set up looks like to see if anyone has specific suggestions.

The easiest thing to check out is the toe in - toe your speakers in so that the axis crosses well in front of your seat and see what happens, especially in the highs.

Another thought that crosses my mind is that these speakers might not be as suitable for near field listening as some others. Perhaps the listening position is too close for the speakers to integrate properly and you are getting an unbalanced sound with emphasis on the highs which have a shorter signal path to your ears. You can check this out by moving you listening position back to 9 ot 10 feet (even though you might no be able to live with it in your apartment due to size etc. At least you might learn something about your speakers.

FWIW, you have a lot of money at your disposal to solve your problem - if it is not a speaker/set up problem my first attack would be to replace your amp/pre amp with a tubed integrated amp known for warmth, such as the Primaluna Dialogue stuff. The only down side to that is, if you are really critical, finding the right tubes to establish synergy (the right tone) with your source and speakers.
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