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Dynaudio C4 speaker equipment matching

My first post, looking for advise.

My system includes:

Plinius CD101 CDP
Plinius Tautoro Pre Amp
Two Plinius SA-103's running in bridged mono configuration
Nordost Frey interconects(2m) and speaker cables(4m) Nordost Thor power conditioner and Brahma power cords (2m) attached to all equipment
Finite Element Signiture racks
Ceraballs and Cerabases
Dynaudio C4 speakers on spikes

The room is untreated and large, 12ft ceilings, 23ft long and 28ft wide. Speakers are 4ft from the wall rear wall. Listening is normally at moderate levels.

I listen to rock, male and female voices, acoustic guitar, a little RAP and techno. Broad taste.

I have a very large sound stage, which I love, though sound is to forward for my liking.

I am looking for more dynamic's, increased depth in the sound stage and greater bass control. I was thinking of starting with the CDP, was thinking of WADIA 861SE, Esoteric SA60/UX-01 or similar and was also thinking of going to Nordost Valhalla cables, though the pair I tried did not make a significant difference, to my suprise.

I was told that changing to a copper power cord on my preamp might help with depth of sound stage. Would appreciate any advise as to the weak links in my system and upgrade opportunities, biggest impact first. I want to keep the SA-103's amps.
jon47
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,208 posts
 
Having owned both C4's and now Harbeth M40.1's I can say that both a fine speakers, but somewhat an apples vs. oranges comparison in that they sound quite a bit different and excel in different areas. I could easily live with the C4's for a long time... just wanted to try a new flavor to keep my audiophile addiction / gear-mongering juices flowing.
missioncoonery
1,215 posts
 
JON47..Im running Kubala Sosna at present(which ive borrowed)..IMO(all this is just my opinion) the best Ive tried w/the Dyn C4s..I ran Cardas golden cross and loved them as well.Cant go wrong with the Cardas golden line except the neutral as several have stated.Nordost doesnt bring out the toetap factor in Dyn.Way too sterile.Totally sucked in my system..No offense to the Plinius guys but your amps are not a great choice/not with those speakers.I think thats why pdreher dumped his C4s,didnt try the Pass...Get a loaner 350.5/250.5,worth the effort...I finally heard the 40.1s .The Harbeths, although OK are not in the same conversation w/the C4s .......
jon47 OP
33 posts
 
Thanks for the cabe tips. I will borrow some Cardas and MIT cables from the local dealers and give them a try. Have not had either brand in my system yet. Thanks for pointing me in this direction.
gundam91
506 posts
 
My friend has a room about 1/3 smaller than yours. He had similar issues, and tried various things. His current setup consists of an ARC Ref 3 + Pass X350.5 on the same Finite Elemente rack. He's using Purist Audio cables. I believe he had tried several top models of Nordost cables and didn't care for them.

I've been listening to his system at least once a month for the past couple of years with various changes he's done with equipment, tweaks. I think the best improvements came in this order:

1/ Speaker placement
2/ Room treatment
3/ Equipment/Cable upgrade

Anyways, I can say that his system is sounding much, much better these days compare to when he first got them home.

He's been using those Finite Elemente Cerabase under his C4s. He swears by it. But I've spoken to someone who tried them under Verity Parsifal Encores (my speakers) and the guy said that he didn't hear too much of an improvement.

FrankC
keithr
1,306 posts
 
for cables, i've used Supras for years with Dyns and they are cheap and great as they are very neutral. you don't need to spend more---and i would never put a networked cable on a Dynaudio. they are used to tame bright speakers. and Dynaudio is definitely not bright. i wouldn't use Cardas either which is usually a smooth sound cable (i tried Golden Reference on my old Wilson system and didn't really care for it).

but none of what you want has to do with cables, so i would work with speaker placement and room first. in fact, selling all of your Nordost gear and using it for room treatments will put you in the right direction.

btw, i listen to a lot of house music on mine and dj some :) the C1s have tremendous bass, and i've thought about upgrading to C4s, but they are quite big beasts.

KR
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