|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
68.167.56.243
Well, I finaly have my system to a pretty happy place...great imaging speed and detail. I have one problem...there is just a teeny bit of edge in the high end, especially with vocals, and moreso on vocal choruses. Can you guys recommend anything that might tweak me in the right direction? Below is a link to my system.
Follow Ups:
Hukk
Try a 12" tire tube(air) under the preamp then add a 5Lb sandbag on top for inner detail. Do the same with you CD transport for increased detail and air around instruments. If any of your electronics is supported with spikes, switch them to "air" isolation, spikes are used to couple speakers to the floor. In phono stage try Amperex white label PQ (early 1960's) 6922 , Tele's can sound a bit hard and clinical. Have heard these tweaks make one freinds system really sing.
Someone a while back posted this suggestion: Tape a small bit of tissue paper over the tweeter. I suppose one could also go to the fabric store and buy all sorts of colors and thicknesses of various fabric which might also look better than tissue paper...?I have also...
*Experimented with moving the AM feet under my components. Even a shift of 1/16 of an inch will result in it sounding like completely different speakers re. treble and bass response.
*Placed a refrigerator magnet on top of the CD player (and experimented with its placement).
*Angled the speakers away from me more (start small and hear the results)
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Tom
Do you have this problem with all sources, or primarily with one particular source?How does your system compare with others you have heard with respect to this problem? What kind of speakers did those systems have?
Nothing in your system profile suggests that it would be particularly bright and edgy. But, classical vocal works, particularly choral works are challenging because of excessive sibilance. That problem tends to be in the recordings themselves. But, equipment can emphasize or make problems in recordings worse. I find that sibilance and edginess tend to be bigger problems with vinyl than CD -- perhaps because of the lower treble emphasis that most cartridges have, perhaps because of the extreme tracking demand of vocals, particularly sopranos.
It's hard to say what would cure your ailments without changing other aspects of performance, perhaps for the worst. Stuff that almost always helps is good clean power (dedicated line, good quality outlets, etc.), proper speaker placement, and acoustic treatment (absorption or diffusion at the first point of reflection on the side of the speakers, window treatment over large glass surfaces, etc.).
A pretty easy experiment on component change would be to try different interconnects. The Nordost stuff can tend to be a bit lean and bright sounding.
Eject all PS Audio equipment from your system.Or, as a first step that may cure the problem completely, eject all of their outlets (the nickel-rich Power Port).
I have slowly come to realize that the folks at this company do not have musical ears. All of their filters, cables and outlet products produce displeasing results. Their cables are especially non-musical. A while back I eliminated all PS Audio gear from my system *except* for the Power Port outlets in my wall. This was a very helpful improvement. But that is not the end of the story.
Recently I realized that the time that I installed the PS Audio Power Ports in my wall was the same time when my system took on this tipped-up, bass shy, slightly tizzy sound that I have been trying to shake for almost 2 years now. I ordered a Furutech copper outlet for $40 and am confident that my system will be restored to its previously robust and musical state.
try a grungebuster CD mat. makes a big difference on my Trivista. Power cords and interconnects also helped clean up the top a lot. You have nice cables. Switch them around if you can and try different ones on different components.
nt
Yes, it was actually a trip to Bruce's house outside DC in the mid-80s that turned me into the tube maniac that I am today :-)
I took D. Berning's new EA 230 amp prototype to Bruce for upgrade circa 1982.
I agree with the suggestions. Also, I do not know if this is your case: do not use silver cables. I had a similar problem and switched back to copper cables.
Roberto
HowdyOr at least burn in any silver wire for quite a while. Silver isn't necessarily evil. I like it in my system :)
Hi astralpen,You might consider Herbie's loudspeaker footers placed under your Vandersteen 3As. An email sent to Steve Herbelin at Herbie's Audio Lab regarding your particular situation could be productive :-)
For bare, hardwood or suspended floors, Herbie's Big Fat Black Dots:
http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/bigfat.htm
For carpeted hardwood or suspended floors, Herbie's Superior Carpet Spikes:
http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/spkrft.htm
Thanks, Duster. I have used several of Steve's products to great effect. Have you tried the new IsoCups? My Vandersteens are screw-mounted onto stands with carpet piercing spikes currently. Any other thoughts? I really don't want to change any of my wires, since it has taken so much experimentation to get where I am...I am very close!
Image: Sound Anchors Vandersteen 3A BraceI'm not familiar with the new Frosted Acrylic Hardball, but I do use and much enjoy Herbie's Audio Lab Iso-Cup with SuperSonic Hardball, Iso-Cup with Gabon Ebony Ball, Gabon Ebony Dome with Big Fat Base, and Gabon Ebony Dome with grungebuster Base footers when placed under my power amp and preamp with outboard power supply. I also use various platforms and plinths (and place Tenderfoot feet under source components).
IME, Sound Anchors speaker stands offer major sonic improvement, and are a true classic. If their customized for Vandersteen 3A Braces offer a performance level increase anything like my Sound Anchors customized for B&W Matrix 805 speaker stands provide, their, "Anyone serious about these speakers needs these braces", statement is not hyperbole.
BTW, you should be able to receive free-of-charge drop shipment from Sound Anchors.
see link:
Yes, this is what I have.
... :-)
-------------------------------------------------------
Tin-eared audiofool and obsessed landscape fotografer.
http://community.webshots.com/user/jeffreybehr
Yeah, they had to use a crane and take the roof off. It looks great if you sit at the other end of the house...
-Electraglide Ultrakhan powercords
-Cardas Golden Cross speaker cables and interconnects
-Squishy feet (I'm using Vibrapods)
-Tubes: I don't know about EL34s, but Siemens 6922's push the treble quite a bit. To lower the temperature, Amperex, Telefunkens and Mullards lower the temperature--Amperex somewhat, Telefunkens a bit more, and Mullards a great deal.
--Hubbel outlets
1. Speaker placement and room treatments. Look at the first-reflections and see if there is a lot of hard surface area where the treble would suffer from coherent reflections.2. Equipment support, including cables. Any place hard surfaces are in casual contact with each other can chatter and make the treble miserable.
3. RF noise. This is a big problem in most houses these days. Even if your equipment does not make a lot of RF noise (some power supplies and digital sources do), non-audio appliances such as digital video recorders, microwave ovens, and computers, can generate RF noise that affects your audio signal by adding false overtones. These create a bright, hard treble, a harsh and dry midrange, and a vague bass. The treble problems are most easily noticed.
Look around and try turning off and unplugging anything that might have a computer or switching power supply inside. If the sound gets better, install a filter on the AC supply to the offending appliance.
...and rolling the EL 34 tubes. You got good advice on the sonic characteristics of the different tubes, at least in my experience.
no idea how to tame that. sounds like something simple could be done, like isolating your cd player or adjusting your room treatments.
Thanks, I've been working on it since 1973 when it started out as a Garrard turntable, a Pilot tube receiver and KLH Model 32 speakers. :-)
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: