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need amp recommendations for more separation of instruments

I've noticed that if I play music that only has a few instruments playing at the same time it generally sounds great, but, if it's got a lot of instruments playing different parts at the same time it all mushes together and you can't hear the individual instruments clearly. My current rig is a NAD M10 and Focal Aria 948s. At a store, I heard 948s paired with a front end costing about $100,000 and that system did not have this problem, at least it not to my ears. That tells me that with really good electronics this problem can be greatly reduced and that the problem is more with my electronics than it is with my speakers. But $100k is out of my budget. My questions are:

  1. Are there some classes or types of amplification that are notably better at getting separation between instruments in complex music?

2.  Are there some brands that are notably better at getting separation between instruments in complex music?

3.   How much would I need to spend to get something that solves this specific problem notably better than my NAD M10?

4. How much would I need to spend to get something that's a really good solution, where I probably wouldn't notice the problem unless I went out of my way to listen for it? (I know, this differs between people, but I'm still interested in your opinion).

Thanks,

ahuvia
pmm
220 posts
 

Great Thread!

I had switched to a higher gain preamp. The sound was too heavy .  So, I moved my speakers further away from the wall. It took care of the problem. 

A movement of only 6", made a difference.

ghdprentice
6,446 posts
 

OP,

Your mention of the flute getting lost in the sound of the strings. 
 

I attend a symphony every couple weeks.I have ideal seats 7th row center. And the flutes… and all instruments go from being solo to “massed” together. That is how it sounds in real life. But perhaps, you are saying this happens more that you think it should.

 

if you think this walking on top of each other. Then, it is probably most likely you need higher quality speakers. I think. Did you post any photos of your system and venue?

jmac7's avatar
jmac7
54 posts
 

Try the Benchmark AHB2 amp. This amp excels at those things that you mentioned and are relatively inexpensive.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

Four years ago, after acquiring Atma Sphere M-60 amplifiers for my Quad 2912 speakers I have posted the following comment on audioreview site.

"After various solid state and tubes amplifiers (including all Quads, several Jadis and McIntosh etc) M60 amplification is a huge improvement in my system ! My overall impression is: everything sounds MUCH more realistic, there are MUCH more details, there’s no coloration of any kind, voices are so natural, every single sound can be perceived. You can actually mentally concentrate your attention on each instrument or just listen the whole scene in an organic way. In a sense, you can ”see” music both in microscopic details and as a whole picture at the same time. So, the first impression on listening OTL amplifiers is surprising. The sound is different compared to "classic" tube amplifiers, but it is also different compared to solid-state amplifiers. You may need a few minutes to adapt your ears to this new level of perception. M-60 MK 3 reunite the richness of details carracterristic for solid state amplification, and musicality characteristic for tube sound."

I still stand behind those words as M-60 provides exceptionnal instrument separation. Particularly on electrostatic speakers. Recently Atma Sphere has came up with Class D amplfier that sounds surprisingly simmilar to M-60.

So if anyone is looking for better instrument separation, a greater transparancy, more details... I highly recommend to test these exceptionnal Made in USA products. I’m french, we have many fine amplifiers here, but I still have to find any amplifier in any budget that sounds better.

Also, do not neglect the importance of better source. Room treatement may help a lot, but essentialy better electronics are critical for better sound, in my humble opinion

Yeah but…

Move your speakers back against the wall.
And see how it sounds.

I would take the M60s in a heart beat, but I but the old amp with the correct speaker location is better than the M60s in a rotten position and rotten room.

And we are trying to figure out if the speakers are positioned right before questioning the amp.

But I am kind of envious of your amp(s).

kennyc
1,195 posts
 

I know the Odyssey (IIRC) Khartago is used as one of the amps used by Alon Wolf of the cutting edge speaker designer of Magico. Seems like one of the rare sonic bargains available. Their upper line Kismet might also be a high price/performance option.

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