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May you help speakers amps

Hi Gentlemen,  I’ve always had a music ear. Over the last 5 years I feel I am listening to too much midrange without smooth but crisp highs. It is like I am listening to a piano playing middle octave. The treble octave is there but not crisp. Yes ok crisp but not like I am standing next to the piano. It sounds like I was listening to a record 20 years ago. I had my hearing tested. I am 62 and just have some normal high frequency loss that comes with being 62. I think I just cannot make out which of my components to match and I may have dug myself into a hole of not being able to choose the right stuff. My speaker wire is in the wall so I cannot run to the A/B input and some of my stuff lacks that anyway. I do listen to a lot of Pandora via Bluetooth and it might be that. I realize the music source isn’t so good. Yes, maybe that is it. I will go to Spotify Premium today if that is the suggestion from you. Here is the equipment I have to work with. There isn’t any fuzz, hum or abnormal components that makes me feel that there is a bad filter 

AMPS: McIntosh MC2100 (recapped), Sonamp 260x3, Sonance DSP 150, BGW 8000, Yamaha P2500 for rbh sub, Yamaha receiver STR SE 591, Denon AVR 1913 for my tv stuff only. I don’t use all of these. I just have them available. I don’t use a pre-amp. 
Speakers: Magnaplanars MGIII (like because of the smooth and forgiving imaging.  They are 2 ft from the wall). Monitor Audio Silver S1, Quadrature DSP 3a, Vandersteen 3ce

I realize that my ear is the test for what sounds the best. Would you mind telling me what the various audiophile audiophile audiophile thoughts are?  I’m sorry that I don’t have super expensive stuff that needs a separate DAC or anything. I’ve just lost my love of sitting listening to music because it all sounds like I am in the back row of an auditorium. Which components would you pick or are they all too old?  Do I need to get rid of Pandora. Any of your personal opinions?

128x128geworthomd
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

I don’t use a pre-amp. 

Well that is quite a collection of gear. You should probably be telling us what works well together, rather than us telling you. Not sure if you have Vandersteen 2s or 3s. If it was me I'd run the Vandersteen 3s, the BGW amp, and a really good preamp. If you are running the Maggies or the 3s, you need to pull them away from the wall. Also not sure your source is helping you out. 

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

get tidal or qobuz for streaming

use the maggies or vandy’s but get your room set up right... the maggies are not placed correctly by your brief description

with decent streamed source music, those speakers, your completely acceptable quality electronics, there is no reason you won’t have a decently good resolution treble response with proper room and setup

also - you might get your hearing checked medically to make sure that is not an issue

geworthomd's avatar
geworthomd OP
98 posts
 

Thank you guys. Yes, had medical hearing test. BTW, I am a physician.  I wonder why a pre-amp. Paul at PS Audio suggested not using a pre-amp and using the McIntosh. I fully understand each person’s ideas and believe me, I welcome them all. I really do. Ok, I will go with Qobuz. I have been reading that it offers the best source audio and has an Apple app. 2ce’s just to clarify. Gosh, thank you so much for your posts. I am glad that u guys think my equipment locker is still ok. I am thinking it is Pandora quality that makes all this good stuff sound like old vinyl. I’ll post in a couple of days. Does anyone think that series connecting speakers is a good idea?  Some speakers image well (Maggies) but highs better in an aluminum tweeter box speaker. I do appreciate all opinions. We are all different fish but this one has lost his way a bit

geworthomd's avatar
geworthomd OP
98 posts
 

PS. I wish I could tell u what works well together. Actually, none of the combinations sound crisp, hence the post. If I had an answer to that one then no need to stretch my hand out into this forum so far.   I will try to go to Qobuz and even drag out my CD player for a trial. I do appreciate the feedback. Music is emotions in reflection

geworthomd's avatar
geworthomd OP
98 posts
 

The Quads are the largest in my locker. Any fans of those comparatively? 

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