2. amps-preamps
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What is wrong with my system?

Hi everyone -

I’m posting here because individually I think my components are all good, but together my system is not making music, rather is is making bright bass less noise. Honestly, I’m thinking it’s no one component, but the matching of components that is causing this issue. I would like to get everyone’s opinion as to what I’m hearing. My components are as follows:

B&W 802D (first generation diamond)
Audioquest bi-wired Indigo speaker cables

Classe CAM-200 monoblock amplifiers
Audioquest Water XLR interconnect

Bryston BP26 preamp
Audioquest Water XLR interconnect

Mark Levinson 5100 cd player (PCM slow minimum phase)

thanks in advance.

Mark Levinson 5100 CD player


onehorsepony

Showing 5 responses by ieales

ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
First, never buy all the same cables. I've heard some great systems wired with Audioquest turn to absolute rubbish swapping in another Audioquest. Purchase cables that mate well with the components they interconnect. Disregard 99.99% of all specific recommendations for what to buy, be it cables, amps or ???. You are listening to a system, part of which is the room - which you did not describe - and all must integrate euphonically.

The 802d is not particularly bright, but has a nasty impedance curve which may give the Classe fits.
B&W 802D loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com

The amp is how old? May need a rebuild

How did you assemble this system?


ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
^^^ Anyone recommending phase incoherent Tektons is to be ignored. Ditto sonics via nameplate. Sad. Really, really sad.


ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
Get rid of the Bryston.  Try a Classe preamp. Matched components matter.
Utter nonsense. Bryston makes some of the most musical amplifiers and products extant. I don't own any, but I worked in great studios with a wall of Brystons.

One of the worst systems I ever heard had Classe components. I've also heard Classe systems to die for.
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
@kymanor1 - one line zingers are tiresome. This wiring is ILLEGAL:  "I have 2 dedicated lines, each has its own breaker, they share only the ground wire.  Electrician installed. Silent background." from  Audiogon Discussion AC Dedicated Line. Please go away until you have something valid to contribute
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
^^^ +1

Chesky Records' tag: "Our philosophy is simple: to create the illusion of live musicians in a real three-dimensional space."

Same for the HiFi. It must be effortless playing Queen, Chopin or Toccata & Fugue in D-Mnor
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