2. home-theater
  3. 1036905550

How to improve 2-channel performance in HT rig?

Hi all . . ..

I just "finished" upgrading my HT system, and I'm pretty happy with the way it sounds for movies. However, a funny thing happened during the upgrade -- my 2-channel performance actually became good enough to be enjoyable. I had planned on using the system for purely home theater, and using my headphone system (ASL MG Head OTL, Music Hall CD-25, and Senn 600's) to listen to music. However, I find that I now enjoy the home theater system more than the headphone system, so now the inevitable "I want to enjoy it MORE" kicks in, so . . . .

Sony DVPS-9000ES DVD/CD/SACD
Lexicon DC-1 pre/pro
Rotel RB981 (130w x 2)
NHT 2.3A floorstanders
NHT SW2P subwoofer/amp combo
Signal Cable Analog One interconnects
Signal Cable Speaker Cable
Monster Cable HTS-2500 MKII power conditioner (Rotel is plugged directly into the wall, tho)

Plus six other NHT speakers and a Rotel 985 that aren't used for 2-channel playback.

What would be the best next upgrade to make? My suspicion, based on comments I've heard, is that I need to get the Lexicon out of the 2-channel signal path and replace it with a really nice, musical 2-channel preamp with a HT passthrough. But there are other possibilities -- add an outboard DAC, for example, or upgrade the amp driving the main speakers, or upgrade the main speakers, for that matter . . . . Aagggh! ;-0)

Eventually, I'd like to do all those things, but an upgrade of many thousands of dollars starts with a single step, so . . . .

I'm pretty happy with the soundstaging now (speakers are set up about 8' apart with about 3' to the side walls for each, about 4' to the rear wall and about 8' from the listening position, and about a foot out in front of the 51" TV), but I think the imaging could be improved, and I'd really like more richness, liquidity, and body to female vocals (Eva Cassidy, for example). The vocals and instruments have a presence, now, but still sound more "recorded" than "real."

(Of course, they ARE recorded, but what is audiophilia if not tilting at sonic reproduction windmills? ;-0) )

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Pat
tsrart
tsrart OP
79 posts
 
The passive pre is here and installed -- makes a BIG difference. The sound is much more detailed without the Lexicon in the chain, and vocals are a little more rounded with better weight. Bass is about the same, which is good since I was happy with it already.

I highly recommend that anyone looking to improve 2-channel performance in a theater system give it a shot -- the passive even makes integration a snap, since all you have to do is turn it the whole way up and it "disappears," allowing your HT pre/pro to control the volume.
tsmack
35 posts
 
I am currently looking at the same situation, HT is where I want it and 2 channel is much improved to the point I want MORE!!!! I am using the Anthem AVM-20 with the Anthem MCA-50 amplifier hooked up with XLR Red Dawns. I have a Marantz DV-7100 as my source. I am running Paradigm Ref. 100 v2 for fronts. From what I have been reading, upgrading to a nice cdp should make a big difference. The Sony you have has seen good reviews but when compared to good cdps it fails in comparison. I am strongly considering the Njoe Tjoeb 4000 with upsampler because of the price. I have heard adding a tubed cdp adds body to the music playback that you will not get from similarly priced SS cdps. I am also considering a used BAT VK D5SE. I heard this player in a similar SS system and almost wet myself. The other areas that need close attention are wiring and power. If power source is bad, 2 channel music will be affected more than HT because of the attention to detail. HT is usually more complex and the attention to detail is masked by the movie itself. Wiring will make a huge difference in many systems, the one goal is to not out wire your component thresholds. By this I mean you can spend way too much on cables and see very little return if you go all out. As the equipment gets better the cables should get better to allow your equipments abilities to shine through. You can spend a boat load upfront on cables but I feel the initial investment should be made in front end equipment, then the cables.
tsrart OP
79 posts
 
Tsmack --

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'm using Signal Cable Analog Two interconnects for the CD playback chain, and I just put a DIY Belden power cord on the 9000ES (for a nice improvement!).

Right now, I'm not convinced that the problems that I'm having are CDP based. A better unit would certainly improve things overall, but my major issue now is with a loss of soundstage and air at moderately higher volumes, and I suspect the cause is either my amp's lack of power or poor synergy with the passive preamp. (I just put up a new post to ask for some opinions on this issue.) So I think a new amp and/or preamp is going to take precedence over the new CDP, although I've been looking at the Njoe Tjoeb 4000 myself . . . .

I also just ordered a pair of Ah!'s LS-Noise Killers from Kevin at Upscale Audio . . . . apparently, they are very popular with owners of NHT speakers, and are supposed to really help cut down on ringing and harshness in the upper frequencies (I imagine by filtering out interference).
jbobdobbs
2 posts
 
I just bought a copy of CARA speaker positioning software and spent about 12 hours modelling my living room and running basic calculations for optimum speaker positioning.

Best $50.00 I've spent on my system in a long while. While dropping a CD23 into the rig was an improvement (Plinius 8200 w/ ProAc Response 1.5), the results from the CARA software are really rather impressive. I'd come close to CARA's placement results a couple of times, but never nailed it quite the way the CARA software did (which I'm flattered by...tells me my ears aren't lying as much as I'd thought).

When I can leave the computer on for a while, I'm going to dial up the complexity and let the thing run (I was up to around 15 minutes per iteration the other night before I figured that I'd gone too far).

They always say that the most expensive and difficult part of any system is the room. The CARA software helps you wrestle the room.
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