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Help looking for dynamic warm romantic sound with detail

Can some one help me in the right direction. Im going to spend like 20" for speaker and amp.

Im looking for a detailed, dynamic, warm, romantic sound. I like the midrange sound of piano, strings and female voices.
Im listen to all music like rock, power balads, country and some modern music. i dont listen to jazz and classic.
Im using tidal and spotify from pc usb.


Started with Hegel H360 to B&W cm10 missed dynamics and warmth.
Upgraded to Mcintosh MC501 and D150 to B&W cm10 ok combo but was missing detail from hegel.
Upgraded to Mcintosh MC501 and c2600 to B&W cm10 missing the speed in the bass from D150 (best combo so far)
Changed to the new Hegel H590 to B&W cm10 did loose all the romantic sound and dynamics and it sounds like the female singer stands in the background =(

I also have a SVS SB16 for the times i listen to modern music.

How would a SS pre and tube amp sound? Do i get the romantic, warm and dynamic sound and the speed to the sub?


What integrated or pre&amp do you recomend? ant to what speaker?


n_brio
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,517 posts
 
My Nightshade speakers shine like the sun with female voices.  I had customers in at AXPONA and we spent 45 minutes listening to different tracks and the customer thought they were extremely soulful.  

I am OOS at the moment waiting on parts from Europe.  I will be back in stock in a couple weeks.  These pair extremely well with a neutral to slightly forward sounding solid state amp or a very linear tube amp.  

Paired with the Musical Fidelity M6 Pre and Power amp, it would be brilliant.  I would put together a package deal if you are interested.  

https://verdantaudio.com/collections/verdant-audio-speakers/products/nightshade-1-standmount-speaker?variant=26464088359012
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
566 posts
 
The sound you are looking for can be had with a Luxman 590 AX II driving Wilson Sabrinas.
I can agree with the Luxman. I had one for a bit paired with the beautiful, incredibly real and dynamic sounding Daedalus speakers and it was warm in all the right ways. That system could be turned up loud with no brightness and sound sooo so good. Even with a mid-level DAC.
wester17
70 posts
 
I concur with others... ditch the B&Ws. They are definitely not in the "warm" category. I had B&Ws for awhile, and quickly learned they do not convey emotion. Too flat. Too Sterile. 
rklune
36 posts
 
I agree 100% with what you're plan (tube amp, SS pre) to get a warm sound.  I say to keep it simple, get the tube amp before you do anything.  It should make a huge difference!  Then start changing other items.  But remember that you're sound is only as good as the weakest link, and you're weakest link could as easily be your source component as it could be your speakers.

The only tube amp that you can count on to deliver is any Audio Research amp in the last 15-20 years.  If you use one of those and the sound doesn't come into focus, then it's your speakers or your source.  (I'm not saying that other tube amps are not as good as ARC, I'm just saying that ARC is a veritable sure thing).

I haven't found cables to make that big of difference with a good tube amp, though, of course, quality cables should certainly be used.  But, I do not agree with using cables to EQ your system.
willrich47
54 posts
 
I know exactly the sound you are looking for, because that is what I’ve been looking for myself. I think I’m 90% of the way there.

Speakers: Tekton Design Double Impacts
Amp: Pass Labs XA30.8
Pre: BAT 51SE
DAC: PS Audio DSD w/Bridge II
Power: PS Audio P12

The only component I won’t give my full recommendation to purchase is the BAT, which is primarily due to its age. That and the fact that the sound supposedly changed in more recent models; I have no experience with newer models. That said, the BAT definitely adds weight to the music, which I like. I’ve taken that preamp out of the chain several times to decide if I could live without it; it always goes back in.

Overall, the system is very detailed, warm, and most importantly, has that certain “magic” to the sound that’s difficult to describe. Best of all, each one of those components seem to provide extraordinary value at their price points.

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