What needs to go?


I am happy with the sound of my system for home theater use but not in two channel. I do not have the room to have two separate systems so I am looking for the best two/five channel combination. Time spent is 50% music and 50% HT. My room is 17' X 13' with the speakers and TV on the short wall. Here is my system:

Sunfire Signature Grand Amplifier
B&K Ref 30 Processor
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Homes,Solo with dipole rears.
Highly modified Pioneer Dv 444 DVD player
Velodyne Sub
MAS cables throughout

My main complaint in two channel is that the sounds is fatiguing.I have moved the GP Homes around and the sound has improved a little but still do not sound as good as my previous Audio Physic Virgo II"s with a Clayton amp. Very few room treatments (foam on wall behind speakers. Oriental rug is in front of the speakers on the floor. Room is open on two sides (behind seating area and right side of room). Sliding glass doors are on the left of the room. I have set up the speakers using the CARA method.

What component or components need to go? Should I add a seperate pre for two channel listening or upgrade the B&K?

Any and all help will be appreciated.
hiflyer

Showing 2 responses by stehno

Hiflyer, although I've never listened to the Ref. 30 pre/pro, I've read several reviews on this unit and all were negative when it came to sonics. Therefore, it should go. I've been using a Primare P30 pre/pro off and on over the last few years and it can hold it's own with any solid state preamp I've listened to, demo'ed, or owned from $8500 down. It's an excellent 2-channel preamplifier that retails for around $3700.

In addition, you've replaced an excellent Clayton amplifier with a Bob Carver Sunfire amp. At least one or more of the Claytons ranks among the very best solid state amps. The Sunfire amps never do.

I hate to say it, but t would almost seem as though you're moving in the wrong direction.

I don't know what you mean by a highly modified CD unit. But there are certainly some excellent alternatives out there if this one is not sufficient.

Lastly, I've not heard of 'MAS' cables. Perhaps, you might consider auditioning (before buying) some other cables. I've thoroughly enjoyed the Audience AU24 speaker cables and interconnects and you should notice that some others around here have as well.

I would focus on putting together the finest 2- or 2.1- channel system you can mustar.

If you focus your attention and your monies on vibration control(coupling or decoupling) i.e. racking systems, points, etc.room acoustics, line conditioners, dedicated lines, etc., for a 2 channel system, you should notice that if it sounds wonderful for music, the exact same system can and most likely will sound just as wonderful for movies.

-IMO
Hiflyer, bulldogger may be correct on two counts: 1. It may very well be your preamp. And 2. that a good analog pre will solve your problem.

I think I understand where bulldog is coming from, but it would appear that he is not correct when he states "None of the pre/pros can beat a good 2-channel analog pre."

For the record, the Primare P30 pre/pro I mentioned previously provides 100% TRUE analog when in 2-channel by-pass mode. And just so there is no confusion toward the sonic capabilities of this pre/pro, I've also owned or own a Pass Labs X2.5, X-1, Placette Active Linestage, and Chapter Audio Preface preamps. As well as demo'ed in my home an Ayre K3-x, a Conrad Johnson Premier 14, and an Electrocompaniet preamp.

Except for the CJ and Electrocompaniet, all the other pre-amps are more expensive and are all Class A rated 2-channel analog pre's.

Speaking from experience, I can assure you that you'd be hard pressed to find a better pre-amp or pre-pro than the Primare P30 or their later model anywhere near it's price range.

-IMO