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Where should I go next? Where are my weak links?

I am now running a much simpler system than I did in the past. I have a pair of Zu Audio Essence speakers coupled with a Mini-Method sub. They are driven by a pair of Manley Neo-Retro 300b amplifiers. I listen mostly to vinyl. My turntable is a slightly upgraded VPI Scout with the SDS drive, scoutmaster platter, ring clamp and VPI mini feet. The scout is loaded with a Benz Micro L2 wood cartridge. I use a Linn Linto phono stage and a Manley Shrimp preamplifier. I condition the power on my source components with a Furman Elite 15. All my interconnect cables are Zu Audio Missions and my power cords are Zu Boks. My speaker cables are Zu Libtecs. I really love the sound produced by my system. I did not really understand how dynamic my 300b amps could sound until I coupled them with a copacetic set of speakers. But, being as I am, I can't help looking to improve on what I have. I am aware that I am not the most knowledgeable or experienced audiophile, so I am hoping for some useful suggestions from all you savvy folk out there. I am not looking to revolutionize my system at this time, just to refine what I have. I wonder whether an improved phono stage might be in the cards.
iramirez

Showing 2 responses by learsfool

learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Nice system. You say you listen mostly to vinyl. Do you listen to mostly unamplified, acoustic music? If so, my suggestion would be to remove the sub from the system. You will almost certainly be very pleasantly surprised by the result.
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Hi Iramirez - I understand that a whole lot of audiophiles like subs, and I am sure the one you mention is a good one. I do not dispute that.

My point about subs is that if we are talking about unamplified, acoustically produced music, they are simply not necessary. With the exception of perhaps the very lowest organ pipes, and maybe a very few other cases, acoustically produced music simply doesn't go down to the frequencies that would require a sub.

In fact, subs always make acoustically produced music sound a little unnatural. Yes, I make that an absolute statement. I have heard a great many of them, in audio stores and at audio shows, and in people's home systems. In every single case, unamplified acoustically produced music sounded better (meaning in this case more life-like, or real) with the sub turned off. I have even convinced a couple of speaker designers at audio shows of this, using different orchestral and chamber music recordings. In fact, one of my favorite activities at audio shows is to find a salesman hawking some system or other and ranting about how great his subs are, and then putting on a recording of acoustic music and asking him to play it with the subs on, and then off. The latter always sounds better, in the unanimous opinion of everyone in the room, sometimes shockingly so. Honestly, this test has never failed yet.

Now I hasten to add that if we are talking electronically produced music, this is not always the case. Sometimes subs can help enhance that, though as others have said they are always difficult to integrate properly, even when one knows what they are doing. And of course, most audiophiles do listen to a great deal of electronically produced music.

I think nowadays that even acoustic instruments are so amplified electronically as a matter of course in jazz clubs, and even symphonic pops concerts, that many people, including audiophiles, have simply become accustomed to this sound, and expect to hear it, even though it is not natural. Some day when I buy a really good home theater system for movies and TV, it will most definitely have a sub. But it will be separate from my audio system, and never the twain shall meet.
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