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Opinions on why this system is uninvolving

I have just upgraded my system in a number of ways from Snell Type A/IIs to Revel Studios; from Audible Illusions Modulus 2 to Hovland HP-1; and from the earliest EADs to Metronome Technology DAC and transport. I find the system uninvolving much of the time. I also find it lacking in dimensionality, find it sometimes hard sounding and I notice image wander. Here's the whole system:

Revel Studios
Hovland HP-1
MFA 200C mono amps
Metronome DAC and Transport
Shunyata Hydra on amps
Power Wedge I on other components
Various high end cords incl. Top Gun, Shunyata Mamba and EMI whales
Tara Prime (or perhaps 1800) speaker cables (bi-wiring)
Audioquest Ruby interconnects between amps and pre amp (about 30-foot run)
Hovland interconnct between DAC and preamp
Siecor optical AT&T between DAC and transport

Any thoughts on how to arrest these problems would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking about trying solid state amps like the Pass 250 or 350, the McCormack DNA line, Proceed or Rowland, but I'm not really sure that will make a sginficiant difference. I know it could change the sound signficantly, but not necessrily for the better (which I realize is completely subjective anyway).
znak_m
smjason
60 posts
 
Your problems could lie in the cabling. You could try some acoustic zen stuff, it is really good and has a very "musical" sound. That could only improve on the systems uninvolving nature. You could also other cables amongst them the audience au24 or the hms gran finale, neither of which I personally have experience with, but have heard great things about. I run acoustic zen all around (hologram speaker cables and matrix ic's) and love them. Try out some new cable, you might be suprised at the difference it might make.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
Clueless asks a very important question. Carpet or hardwood flooring, size, parallel walls, ceiling heights etc. All make a tremendous difference.

Imaging problems may be speaker placement, particularly speakers being too close to the side or rear walls. Check out cardas speaker placement page ... he recommends speakers miles out into the room ... it worked wonders for me.

As for dynamics, I'd also be interested to hear your comments as to how different the system sounds with the power conditioning removed, and with stock power cords on the amps. Anything that filters could conceivably restrict current and restrict the dynamics of a power amp.

Bear in mind that my experience is with much less expensive systems .. but I thought I'd offer my guesses.
calanctus
151 posts
 
How did your system sound BEFORE you upgraded?

If it was also uninvolving it could be the room, but if not then something else has changed for the worse!
natalie
404 posts
 
The RUBY has to go.Also get rid of all the cables.And go with Hoveland all around. Synergy is where its at. Get the Power wedge out also. Simple is best.
rbstehno
1,456 posts
 
Since you changed your speakers, have you experimented on speaker position? Also, how are your room acoustics? Cables are probably your weak points. Before making drastic changes, (like changing amps) trying the above tweaks will probably get you a bigger difference in sound than changing your amp. If you do look at new amps, you should look at Plinius, Pass, Edge, and Classe, some of the best amps around.
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