What makes the Bloom around instruments . . .


I recently tried a Pass XA30.5 amp in place of my Spectron Musician III Mk 2.

In my particular system, the Spectron outclassed the Pass in every category except one: that magical Bloom surrounding each instrument and vocal entity.

I really liked that Bloom and I would like to understand how and why it's there because it is something very special and I'd really like to have it again in addition to everything the Spectron brings.

Thanks,
Chuck
krell_man

Showing 2 responses by rtn1

I don't have anything by Dire Straits to hear that particular organ with the Pass XA200.5.

But I would say that the organ and choir at the end of Mahler #2 would leave you speechless and sobbing uncontrollably.
I also agree with Frogman's description at the global level. Composer's such as Scriabin and Bruckner reveled in the sonic soup.

Now, here comes the controversial part. While resolving low-level detail is part of it (and I've gone off the deep-end to achieve this), the components are a big piece as well. I say controversial because terms such as neutral and colored are like audio philosophy and religion.

In my experience, if one takes a highly conductive, low gauge wire to transmit power or signal, the result can be sterile, a black background, and an artificial leading edge with truncated decay. For some reason, fine-gauge, multi-stranded conductors of silver, gold, and platinum just sounds real. I will admit that this is altering the signal, but the means justify the ends. Same with tubes, because if you can create a real and intoxicating sound with juicy and dimensional detail, then a system will satisfy on an emotional level.

While trying to nullify weakness by combining different components can be a slippery slope with potential dead ends, combining strengths will open new possibilities.