My System....where to start on the upgrade path

"I want to be able to raise the volume to real world levels and still retain that separation without the music sounding “jumbled”

That suggests something limiting in the amp/speaker integration.

The Pathos is a gorgeous and very nice piece, but a 70 watt tube integrated may not be the optimal amp to drive those speakers to their max.

Tube rolling might help tweak the sound and is probably the least expensive thing to try to have a positive effect, but I think your focus to obtain optimal results should be on finding the right amp to drive the speakers optimally to their potential.

Those are small bass drivers on the AZ speakers. I have never heard these before but in general smaller drivers, may not hold up as well at high volumes as larger drivers, though having two in play can make a difference.

I'd look to try a high power high current SS amp with those speakers just to see what they are capable of. If that is not enough, then perhaps a different speaker design that can go louder without stress could be what the doctor ordered.

At this point you can then compare the Pathos and see how that compares to a beefier amp with the AZs.

There is nothing wrong with your digital source (the Cambridge) so I would definitely not look to start there.

You might try running the amp without any power conditioner and see if that helps deliver more oomph, if that is not the configuration in play already.

Hi,

In order of importance:

1. Get the acoustics of the room correct. Consider tube traps and RPG room treatments. (You may be closer to better sound than you think.)
2. Get the power correct. Spend some money on an electrician, dedicated lines, power cord upgrades like Shunyata ect...

3. Evaluate each change before you make another change to your system.

Catfishbob, You said you want more bass. Maybe it's midbass you are lacking. If this is the case you may want to set your system up on the long wall. The long wall will give you more midbass energy. However, you will need room treatment on the wall behind the listening position. Heavy draperies will do for now. You should also get a much wider soundstage and a nice open sound on the long wall.

Don't do any tube rolling at this point. Tube rolling is for much later in the game. The tubes that are selected by the manufacturer are usually the best sounding anyway. At least you know they are biased properly.

If you don't hear any difference with your power conditioner, get rid of it. You most likely don't need one where you live and your power conditioner is only complicating your system. The simple systems always sound the best. I have tried numerous power conditioners without any improvement in sound quality.

Room acoustics has become very popular. Too popular I think. All rooms have their own character, but they are not all bad. I think room treatment should be used when needed, but it isn't a cure all and room treatment is easily over done.

Here are some ideas that won't cost anything. Try these before you do anything else and only do one thing at a time as it is easy to get lost.

You have assembled an interesting system for only being at it for a couple of years.

that is your system after two years?! i'm impressed, well done. your speakers are quite sensitive as well, with a friendly impedance curve, so perhaps it's the 'voice' of your speakers you're not happy with.

instead of going SS by default, you could also go with more sensitive speakers, or equally sensitive speakers with more of the traits you are looking for. that, and also i'd try your system along the long wall just to see what happens.

your whole system seems quite high end and balanced as it is already, so any changes will be merely adjusting the personality of the sound. you should be able to get the sound you want without spending too much more. unless of course you want to go HIGHER end, in which case, have fun... =)

Thanks guys. The long wall is probably "no can do". I've put some thought in trying to do it, but my my house is small and my living room, where the system is, has a fireplace and four large picture windows on one long wall, and two large doorways, a pass through window into the kitchen and a small wet bar on the other long wall. I would love to try it though.

I have put a lot of thought into room acoustics. I even looked at a Lyndorf room correction devise at RMAF last fall. I could put some dampening on the wall behind the speakers. Every other square foot of wall space is occupied with doorways or furniture. I could buy a couple of thousand dollars worth of those tiny Tibetan prayer bowls and spread them about! I found the company, "Eighth Nerve" that seemed to have something that I might could have used, but they seem to have gone out of business.

I wish I could TRY some different components but I dont have local dealers.

What magnitude of improvement could one expect to hear after installing separate electrical circuits?

I went to RMAF last year just to find out what I might be missing. My impression was that I wasnt as impressed with most of the systems as I thought I would be. There were a few standouts. I found myself really loving rooms that had SET amps. I was really impressed with the Harbeth speakers and I had never even heard of Harbeth.

Here is a question that probably ought to have its own thread. Five people go into a room to listen to a system. After listening to the same music they all comment. One says that the amp is superb so good in fact that he might consider one but he doesnt really like the speakers. One person loves the speakers, but says that they would sound superb with tubes. One person says that the turntable is excellent. Another is impressed with the cables.

I dont get it. How can one isolate which component is the reason for the good sound. I really dont see how one can separate the component individually. Someone explain this to me, please. Thanks for your comments