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What’s the biggest mismatch you’ve seen, heard, or done?

It happens. Whether from ignorance, expediency, transition, or plans interrupted isn’t important. Power, class, gain, size, impedance, cost, and so many other ways an audio system’s parts can differ from expectations. For years I had a CD player that cost more than my speakers and receiver combined because my intended upgrade path was put on extended pause. Right now I can’t decide on a preamp so I’m using one that cost only 1/10 of what my amp did. I see pictures of enormous speakers shoehorned into the corners of tiny rooms or someone using a flea watt amp on a power hungry speaker. I’m sure someone has used a cable that cost more than the components it connected. I’ve read about numerous impedance or gain matching issues. The objective is to entertain and educate rather than just mock (that’s going to happen a little no matter what, but try to be nice). So what’s your story?


cat_doorman
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Older Krell amp with Klipsch Cornwalls.Ice picks in the ears.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Seen: 1200hp Allison in a 914.
Heard: Ruger Blackhawk hand load, beside my Glock 17.
Done: Mother in law, in my 911.
mrrui
8 posts
 
My worst mismatch was Topping DX7 Pro or Topping E30 (as Preamp) and NAD M22V2, they made the speakers I had by then (Klipsh Heresy 4, Revel Salon 2, Revel M16, Tannoy Kensington GR, Monitor Audio Bronze 2) sound bright and fatigue. The problem is the NAD M22V2 which is on the bright side of neutral and very transparent, so pairing it DAC Direct (DAC with digital volume control to be used as preamp) is not a good choice. It is much better to pair the NAD M22V2 with Moon 390 or Anthem STR Preamp, which are built as preamp.
cheeg's avatar
cheeg
246 posts
 
@ebm
CJ preamp and SS amp.
Do you have any idea why they paired so poorly?  I’ve seen lots of other tube preamps paired well with SS amps, so that can’t be it.  Do you think it’s specific to CJ?  Their tube pre’s are usually very good.
musicaddict
370 posts
 
I had thought 'sonic mismatch' but see monetary ones as well.

Sonically, an old ARC LS-3 with a Threshold T200 power amp and Martin Logan SL3s. I forget what the T200 replaced but it was a lesson about auditioning first, especially at that high price (even back then). It was listenable for twenty minutes at best. Sold the T200 very quickly because it was a great amp, just not with ML speakers. An oops moment/decision.

Monetarily, a guess my lovely burl Raidho D2s paired up with less than $6k retail worth of source/power electronics/DSP/cabling. Oh, plus three good subs ($2200) for 25-35Hz reinforcement. To me, the sound is from heaven, the best I've had after forty ears despite owning any super $$ electronics. (Yes, if I had the money it could sound better still, but diminishing returns sure set in.)


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