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Confused...not satisfy with my system :

Hi all,

I have Sonus Faber EXTREMA ,
AMP:Meridian 557 .
PRE:Meridian 502.

I sold my CD ARCAM A9 - I loved this CD with my previous system ( Was ARCAM ALPHA8R with SF Concerto) ,The sound was warm and detailed.

Right now the sound is realistic and deep but not exciting... The mid is great The bass is OK but not kicking.
I think the speakers should stay but not sure for the AMP and the PRE .

I thought to change to Tube or hybrid , I tried the Unison Research - Unico Secondo.
The sound was kinda better but the MID is away too high and a bit annoying so it's not that better alternative.
Some suggesting to add another 557 cause the EXTREMA are really hard ...but I don't feel the AMP is not pushing them well.Maybe not pushing them right ( matter of taste of course).

I have a chance to buy Tube AMP Conrad-Johnson MV60 instead of the 557 (the 502 will stay).

or I should i look for other PRE?

Really confusing situation cause I can't really point on the weak chain .

please advice
avico
steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
Try a tube pre or tube dac.
rkaye
2 posts
 
hmm... maybe crossover the mids to the SF and get a nice subwoofer to help with the bass? i dont think a second 557 amp would help 'drive' the SF, because it has decent efficiency, although if you (biamp) have one amp for the highs and mids and a second for the lows you might find that driving the lows harder gives them more 'kick.' I think your SF had some slight crossover issue that this might clear up. switching the 557 for a mv60 would probably get you back to your 'arcam cd' sound by warming the sound. ... might be sexy to have the mv60 power your highs and the 557 your lows. :)
joeabrams
132 posts
 
Just curious -- what speaker cable are you using?

ATB,

Joe
jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 
Avico,
Sorry it's still not clear, are you using the Arcam player with your new system, or do you have a new player you haven't mentioned? If you are still using the Arcam your new higher rez gear may be bringing out it's limitations. Upgrading a source is always a good idea, consider that. I have to agree with Jaybo though, the c-j MV-60 and your Extremas should sound amazing! Of course I'm a tube man all the way. Whatever you decide to do, have fun!
eee3
214 posts
 
You didn't mention what kind of powercords you are using but I've found that powercords make the single most significant improvement in sound, without changing components. Speaker cables and interconnects are important as well but if you have decent cables, then I would look at the powercords. Particularly something in the fusion, shunyata or purist line.
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