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Vandersteen fans..need your input (TREO CT)

Hey Guys, I love my TREO CTs, but I feel like they don’t really start to shine until I crank up the volume to 85dBs or higher. I feel like the details are missing at lower volumes. I know I have a lot of acoustic issues in my space, but generally speaking, at what volumes do you guys listen to your system. Just to give you an idea of my system, I’m using an Ayre AX-5/20 integrated, Aurender N100H streamer, Denafrips Terminator DAC (also an Ayre Codex DAC), AQ Earth XLR cables and AQ GO4 double run bi-wire speaker cables. Any of you guys do low volume listening...like the when your family is a sleep. Any general tips to improve the low volume listening experience? I suspect I would benefit the most getting room treatments but it’s not an option for me at the moment sharing the living room.  Thanks in advance.
Also, check out this link on youtube, it’s rare to see TREO CTs in videos on the web.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zKxBalxq1c
nycjlee
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,185 posts
 
also s/n is critical so float some of tge grounds but not all - inky black background is just better s/n
also look for aural and electrical trash in the room
what is the level of background noise in the room ?
i had to put a bullet in the bar mini fridge as even tho it had a very quiet compressor it resonated...
short of a dedicated room can you also get all your wall warts, etc on to a seperate circuit ?

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,531 posts
 
I have Vandersteen 5A's....but use earphones with a dedicated headphone amp for late night listening.  The phones are in some ways even better sounding.
2psyop's avatar
2psyop
1,869 posts
 
If you have a somewhat dedicated audio room, I think the ideas of dweller and tomic601 are great. Clapping hands can lead to fixing echos and creating the dead room you want. If you are patient and very observant sitting very quiet in your room without any music turned on you can identify noise, particularly background noise...much of which is low level noise. Compressors (as mentioned),  traffic tires going down the road, wind coming across trees. If you have tinnitus, you will hear that. All this study can help with building the sound upward. Study how much noise you have; how do sounds behave in your room (reflect and bounce?) do external sounds compete with your stereo sound for your brain’s attention? If you want to hear low level detail, you have to create the way and environment for it to happen, no?
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
  (((Study how much noise you have; how do sounds behave in your room (reflect and bounce?))))
 
 Is there an Area rug that covers the first reflection off the floor?
 Best,
 JohnnyR
   
nycjlee OP
286 posts
 
Guys - Thanks for all your comments. All of you guys pretty much confirmed what I already knew.  I need room treatments.  

@audioconnection  - Johnny, you and I already talked about my issues, when you were at my house to set up my speakers. :)  I really do need an area rug. I'll reach out to you separately.

It's been difficult getting the wife to agree on letting me get an area rug (I agree with her....it would definitely be out of place in our space).  She has been really cool about my audio spending habits so I'm not pushing the issue just yet. 

Btw, don't get me wrong guys...I'm still very happy with my current setup, but I know I can improve it especially at lower volumes.  I guess, I'll have to wait until I can move my equipment to a better location in the house where I can add room treatments.  I guess it's back to listening with headphones for now.  

Thanks again!

Happy Thanksgiving!    

 
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