2. amps-preamps
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speakers/ amps liking one another

Good morning all. Looking for some guidance. I appreciate all that have helped in the past.

I listened yesterday to a secondary 2 channel music only.  Seemed very disappointing.       My primary system has spoiled me. Primary system, following: ATI 6000 2 channel amp, Benchmark LA-4 Line amp, Meitner MA-1 DAC, Project RS2T transport and LTA Linear power supply, SVS SB 4000 Sub, Tekton upgraded Double Impacts. Also streaming Qobuz.  In a very large area, listen to only R&R loudly. System is to Die for.

Second system is composed of Peachtree Amp 500, and Peachtree PreDac (preamp) audiolab 6000 transport, Benchmark Dac 3B,  Focal Aria 948's. 2 channel system only, music. Much smaller room 13x13'  Did the speaker placement job a while ago. Note: Focal says speaker can dip to 2.5 ohm's?

I believe my weak link is the Amp and preamp combo (Class D) Looking for used recommendations for SS amp class A/B or A that has some real CLASS power to it. I'll deal with a preamp to add to the amp a little later. Use the present preamp until I can afford a better one. 2 or 3K, give or take some. Any help would be great. Robert TN

robshaw
brian8383
9 posts
 

Tekton are amazing and do not break the bank. How about you toss the Focals into your main room and have a listen. I think that will help you determine if the Focals you aren't liking. If that's the case, we'll that's easy. Sell them and pick up a pair of Tekton Impact or Pendragon monitors for your smaller room. You would probably break even. You should get $2k or better for the Focals. 

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
452 posts
 

Your 13 X 13 room is by far the biggest issue. you will have strong resonant modes (eigentones) in both L-R and F-R at about 87 Hz and multiples: 43.5, 174, 261, 348 Hz, etc. The speed of sound is 1128 ft/sec (sea level) divided by 13 ft = ~87 Hz. if you have a 9 ft ceiling there will be eigentones at 125 Hz, and 141 Hz for 8 ft ceilings.

Acoustical diffusers and absorbers are the only method of dealing with these. An equalizer or DSP like DIRAC can only change the speakers input into the room. They have no impact whatsoever on the output of the room from acoustic resonances. If you are in the lest interested in sound quality you must deal with those before you make any other changes. Not just my opinion, its the physics..

urbie
275 posts
 

I don't think either of those two systems are to die for, I guess you haven't heard really good systems.

urbie
275 posts
 

tekton speakers are definitely not audiophile quality speakers.

erik_squires
15,826 posts
 

Well depends on what you think the weak link is. I’m not usually a conspiracy theorist, but I do believe Focal sometimes deliberately causes a dip in the mid bass impedance specifically to make the speakers seem more discerning of amplifiers.

Also, that room is cramped with very little toe in. Why don’t you try moving your main system’s amplifier over for a listen?

That is also a very small room for those speakers.  If your amp doesn't solve your problem consider room treatment instead. 

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