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Help! Forte, Linn, Magnepan. NOT RIGHT?

Looking for suggestions on how to get better sound from my gear. System: Linn LP12 valhalla, Itok, K9 Marantz CD 67SE Interconnects between CD and pre are DIY CAT 5. Forte F44 line leve preamp (long interconnect to power - 20ft) Forte Model 7 mono blocks (75 watts class A) Magnepan Tympani 1D (refurbished by Maganepan) I have modified these to look like the 4a with oak and also separated the tweeter panels. I have also removed the crossovers and made external boxes for them. Problems: 1.) Sound is fatiguing. Can't play Rock at all(not enough deep bass). Jazz sounds pretty good. Voices are a bit harsh. Overall I’m just not satisfied. 2.) Currently have no phono preamp. Any suggestions for under $300? Anyone heard the Forte FP-1? 3.) When I was running the TT, my CD sounded better (go figure). Is the Linn K9 crap? TT is lacking detail and punch. I have had it set up professionally by a Linn dealer in Chicago and shipped back to me in VA. Can a Linn be shipped and still expected to keep its setup? 4.) What can I do with the stock crossover of the Tympani's? Keep in mind I have removed them and have plenty of space to do whatever is necessary to make them right. 5.) Subwoofer? should I? 6.) Knowing the above info… where would you concentrate your efforts first? I am on a budget, please keep suggestions low $ (1k or less). Any help would be great. Thanks.
smknezf9bd
smknezf9bd OP
7 posts
 
Does everyone believe my amp/speaker combo is hopeless? I actually achieve nice listening levels with the Forte Model 7s, I don’t have to turn them all the way up. How can I be sure that clipping is my issue? I don’t notice any additonal degradation of sound as I turn it up. Thoughts?
unsound
7,329 posts
 
I don't have any advice, but if you do decide to sell the amps let me know.
smknezf9bd OP
7 posts
 
Well Unsound, you may have the best advice of all, make an offer. Retail was ~$2,700.
greysquirrel
62 posts
 
I LOVED the Forte 1A (50w/ch stereo) with my Thiel 1.2's and also with a much earlier Vandersteen 2C, but I really think it would run out of gas driving the big maggies. I had compared the 1A to higher powered Counterpoint and B&K M200's, but I loved the magic of the Forte. With the Thiels, though, the Forte could get a little hard and thin when pushed too loud. Sorry, but I think you need more amp than the Forte with those speakers. Unfortunately, I can't recommend a better sounding amp in that price range, certainly not one that will drive the Maggies. Good luck.
rockvirgo
587 posts
 
At first blush, it sounds like you're dealing with two different issues. The first, the quality of the sound - harsh and fatiguing - sounds like a source issue. Your amps are fairly high-rez so you're likely hearing the character of the CD player pretty clearly. An outboard DAC like a used Theta Pro Prime IIa might make things more listenable. Last time I looked, the Thetas were fairly abundant and going at just over 1/3 of the $1,500 list. But figure on another $100 for a good used digital coax. The other issue, good for jazz but crap for rock is a speaker issue. In general, large cabinet floorstanders excel with dynamics (rock) but can sound unrefined compared to stiff little monitors which image like crazy and are great for acoustic music (jazz and vocals). Maybe it's a myth, but I remember hearing that maggies were ideal for large scale music (classical?). A pal o' mine has been trying to make his sound right for 25 years. Maybe that's half the fun. Hang in there.
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