Case of the dissapearing Bass

The Rotel is enough power to make the bass but you could get more texture with more power. Better amps tend to be more detailed in the mids/highs and power seems to affect bass tonality in my limited experience.

I demoed the 802d on both Rotel and classe' amps back to back (also on AR tube gear) and it was not as night and day as one may think.

You may even want to look at wyred 4 sound. I like them a lot and they control the bass very well. They are dirt cheap and good, not just good for the money but actually good. Bryston also seems bright to me (at the very least neutral) and the 802d on the bright side.

Your issue sounds like a bass null too me for what it is worth.

Ellrotts,

I don't think theres anything to be ashamed of with regards to your system. If you like it, who cares. Anyway, I think you may have answered your question in your post where you list your equipment. You say that some if you gear is out for repair. Its possible that may be your problem. If you put the NAD in the system while your current preamp is out, that could be the reason for the lack of bass. I've seen this happen several times. In my own system, for example, I had a PS Audio preamp that was just OK. When I upgraded to a much better CJ preamp, it sounded like I added a sub. The difference was huge. The CJ was just letting more information pass through it. I can't say if this is definitely your problem; just that you may want to consider it.

I didn't get a chance to read all of the above comments but I will tell you to check the phase. Use a nine volt battery and a small wire lead, touch the leads to the speaker wire at your amp (disconnect them from the amp first!). The positive lead of the battery goes to the suspected positive and the negative to the negative. If the sub moves in the leads are backwards, if it pushes out it is correct. That will give you a definitive answer as to the phase of the speakers, just make sure to test all of them. Then of course there is the possibility that you blew them up and they need replacing. Also the positioning of the speakers in the room can make a huge difference as well. So if they were to much up against a wall, and to little when pushed away. I would push them back towards the wall and raise them off the floor.

I hope I helped,
Andrew
Synesthesia Studios

Yeah Bryston in the past has been very bright almost too bright with past models. The Newer SST 2 seems to have to my ears anyhow , have remedied that with a much more even/full sound and from what I understand very favourable to many auido equipment reviewers. And BTW, your Rotels are quite good, so I agree with Zd542, nothing to be ashamed of and if these amps have been pleasing to you in the past, I would tweak around your room til the cows come home.

I have been playing around with the room a lot. I have made some changes which are very positive in the mid/ high area. but after more in depth investigation i have found that there is no bass when seated in the middle of the room.

If i sit on the floor i have bass, If i stand i have bass. Just no bass on a chair from the equilateral triangle listening point all the way to the back of the room. Its bloody odd.

The bass is everywhere and MASSIVE when in the centre beside/ behind the speakers. Its so massive i almost lose balance and soil my pants. As soon as I move forward its gone.