2. amps-preamps
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Power cords or power conditioner

I’m at a cross roads and I’m looking for some advice from those have have gone down this road. I recently added a 2 channel integrated amplifier to improve my 2 channel performance. I had been using my Datasat LS-10 for music and while it sounded really nice, it was missing the depth and clarity that I know my speakers are capable of. My speakers are KEF Reference 3s, rest of my 2 channel set is is as follows:

Luxman L 509x

Luxman D-03x

Roon Nucleus Plus

Lumin U2 Mini

Transparent Audio Super speaker cables

Nordorst Red Dawn XLR, Blue Heaven USB

Wire World Platinum USB

All power cables are DYI using Oyaide Tsunami V2 cable

So what I feel I am missing is that 3D holographic sound stage. It was there with the Luxman 509 when I demo’d it, but I am unable to get that experience at my house. I feel that majority of equipment is up to the task but I am curious if I should ad a top shelf power condtioner like a Shunyata Triton or Torus AVR20 into the system or replace my Intergrated’s power cord with a Shunyata Alpha NC? I’m getting tapped out, so for now it can only be one or the other.

Or should I skip the above and focus on room treatments?

wheelndeal1099
labpro's avatar
labpro
88 posts
 

I would start with the room and speaker positioning then you can better determine the effects of various changes, like power cords and conditioners. By the way, I have a Torus AVR, replaced my Shunyata conditioner. Sounds great by letting the music flow.
 

As for optimizing your room, read articles from Art Noxon of Acoustical Sciences Corporation (ASC). I would start with diffusion across the soundstage, back wall behind the listening position and at the fist reflection points on the side walls and ceiling. I would also use base traps in each corner. 
 

Be prepared to spend as much as you would on a component upgrade. 

thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 

@labpro :

I would start with diffusion across the soundstage, back wall behind the listening position and at the fist reflection points on the side walls and ceiling

Interesting. You are doing Diffusors (not absorbers) on the side walls (first reflection points)?

 

 

 

labpro's avatar
labpro
88 posts
 

Hello Thyname,

not shire if you have used tube traps. They have an absorption side and a reflective side. As you turn them, you get more of one or the other.

For the ceiling and front soundstage, I use RPG skyline.

 

 

thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 

I am not sure what "not shire" means. Did you mean "not sure if you have used tube traps"?

I have the following GIK panels (4" on the front wall and 6" on the back wall): 

They are a combination absorber / diffuser / bass trap. They can be turned around too, to only get absorption and no diffusion. But I do strictly use absorbers only (4" 242s) on the side walls and my ceiling. Maybe time to experiment moving things around

markiew
36 posts
 

Gonna agree with some and and offer some of my experience.

1) As above, first thing is to experiment with speaker placement.  Definitely do this, take a couple of hours and test out different positions, separations etc to get a feel for how it changes things in your room.

2) Get hold of a Puritan PSM156 on demo or sale and return. Brilliant piece of kit.  Will add clarity first, then image second in my experience.  A reasonable priced bit of kit.  Try out the ultimate power cable supplying it too if you can, although std cable is no slouch.

3)  Ultimate upgrade for stereo image is Fo.Q TA-102 thick tape.  Open up your source equipment and apply squares of it to the top of every cap you can find.  An exceptionally cheap upgrade that will by far give you what you want.  Given the budget you are considering, this will give you what you want almost for free.  Try it, its on ebay or lotususa do it I think too (https://www.lotusgroupusa.com/foq.html)

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