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hearing loss and amp choices

Found out yesterday that I have about 25-30% hearing loss in the right ear. Anything around 4000 hz and I display a sharp drop.

Currently looking for a new integrated such as the Vsi75, Sim Audio 700 series, Pass int 25, Belles Aria Sig and my distributor recommended the Rotel RA 6000 series which they are about to carry this  month.

The speakers are the very neutral and flat Studio 100's by ProAc.

My question revolves around the fact of hearing loss vs. expense for SQ. In other words what am i doing to be looking at a 10 or 16 thousand dollar int if my hearing won't appreciate it?

Do I look for something more articulated like the Rotel? Can I appreciate the nuances of tube gear with their richness?

Had Primare stuff (I-30) prior to this but it blew during a power surge and to tell the truth, thought the sound was a bit sterile with this series with little mid bass weight. Now I wonder if all this doesn't matter and should be looking for something with articulation that previously may have thought as "cold".

Just exploring what some of you may have experienced with any hearing loss in regard to previously perceived perceptions to SQ.

arro222
ghdprentice
6,428 posts
 

OP,

 

Congratulations. As I mentioned earlier, I love this amp. Hopefully you will as well. Look forward to hearing your impressions.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
jji666
448 posts
 

Two things:

(1) I think the comments about EQ are right on.  Consider some of the digital EQ you can get from Roon or similar. You don't have to put it through a box with lots of levers if you don't want to.

(2) Subwoofers - especially a good REL - will help add depth and dare I say warmth to the sound.  Some visceral thump is useful to re-enhance the experience.

Happy listening and good luck!

arro222 OP
142 posts
 

So I have listened to the ARC Vsi 75 for about 8 months.

It is to my taste as it is natural, resolute, deep and wide sound stage and articulated enough w/o being sterile. Instruments and voice appear "in the room" like as well as spot on timbre. It has just the right amount of distortion for my tastes to produce musical weight w/o too much loss on high end.

It is perfect for me as it relates to my taste in music reproduction much like Wild West Pizza out west in Montana had the perfectly tasting pizza I have ever had along with Gould’s Sugar House in Shelburne Falls Ma. had the best pancakes i’ve ever had.

So the ARC is as perfectly balanced as the pizza and pancakes from the above mentioned places.

 

If anyone is interested, there is a guy selling brand new Vsi 75’s for $5995.

I believe the place is called Paragon Audio

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