Who's to blame for the Grain??


I have a very very entry level system that I upgrading piece by piece. What I've noticed is that when I listen to music with vocals, there's a grainy texture to everyones voice. I don't hear that smoothness that I've heard from systems out the hi-end shops. I was curious whether there was a specific part of the chain that can cure the GRAIN. Is it interconnects, pre-amp, power amp, speaker cables or source. I am not using a power cord or a power conditioner,,,,,,,,,,,could this be the cause?
meech33

Showing 2 responses by zaikesman

Sure, your CDP and preamp aren't the first things you'd think of for a high end system, but you're really not as far behind as you make it seem. I would address the preamp before the CDP, for various reasons - both logistical and sonic - that I'll refrain from elaborating on here, because the main thing I want to say is:

Don't do anything else right now if you're getting new speakers in two weeks! Break the speakers in for at least 100 hours over a couple of weeks, maybe leaving the CD on repeat while you're away from the house. Then spend another couple of weeks auditioning and assessing the sound with the broken-in new speakers in place. Firstly, your ears need to adjust to the new sound. Secondly, if these are the speakers you'll be keeping for a while, then any other system changes you make subsequently will need to work with the sound of those speakers. Plus, if those speakers turn out to be significantly better than what they're replacing, they'll help you hear what's going on with your other gear by providing a 'clearer window' with which to audition and assess for upgrades, letting you make more intelligent and effective choices.

Be patient and change things one step at a time (as you say, your budget forces this anyway). The worst thing you can do for trying to travel a predictable, or at least understandable, path for upgrading is to change a bunch of stuff at once willy-nilly. Limit your variables and take your time, and you'll make more cost-effective decisions. Your new speakers are going to sound vastly different from your present speakers, a bigger overt difference than you'll get from changing any one piece of electronics or wires, so approach this 'grain' question afresh once you're comfortable with their sound (and yes, it could even turn out that your current speakers were a part of the problem).
Agree with Gthirteen that the sound of the large Paradigms should not be taken as a stand-in for the sound of the small Paradigms. Were you actually able to listen to the 20's? Anyway, choosing your speakers first is the correct path in my opinion. Just take your time and audition things thoroughly, using YOUR music, and in more than one visit if possible. Be reasonably comprehensive as your situation allows, resisting the impulse to fall in love at first listen. Also, keep in mind the entire chain of gear you're hearing when you audition a speaker...