Opinions on why this system is uninvolving

jeez tuna, you give this great synopsis and then your PS, How disheartening.

It seems to me that Duke has nailed things down quite well. You are going from a warm system to ultra high resolution that presents greater challenges in matching ancillaries. The speakers are probably so different from what you are coming from that in addition to the transparent components in front, are presenting a sound you are having problems with. The quality or lack of the recordings can also play a big part in overall enjoyment long term. High resolution is no free ride, there is a price to pay the piper. I DO understand your dilemna. I have been there. As tuna notes synergy is key and you haven't found it and most likely won't with your current lineup, cables notwithstanding. I think if you are not too attached to the speakers, it is the first component to consider replacing if not outright ditch. I would look for something with a warmer balance maybe between the Revel and Snell. Since you lived with the Snell so long they must have been doing something right.

I don't feel you will be happy long term with the Revel in the mix. View this for what it's worth, one man's .02.

Dear Bbtuna: I have wanted to dampen the first reflections and a local dealer had promised to bring over some materials for this purpose but it hasn't happened yet.

I agree with your observations about the Revels but not about the Hovland. I did audition both, although at the time I auditoned the Revels, my amps weren't working, so a Bryston was used. I also auditioned Vandersteen 5s, which I liked a lot but which I felt had less heft and less detail, aspects that I now realize aren't that important to me. I bought the Revels despite some reservations.

The Revels were in the system before the Hovland and I was having the same problems only worse. When I auditoned the Hovaland, the sound got much better to my ears; it could breath whereas with the old Audible Illusions, the sound was constricted and harder. The Hovaland was a big improvement, so I don't think that is where the problem lies now. I didn't audition the Metronome equipment; I just figured the EAD was so old the state of the art must have changed.

Thanks.

Hockey, do you realize what you are saying? You gotta' know that there's at least one Revel idolater in this thread who worships the spiked feet that the Studio's rest on?

And in one swell foop, you brought their shrine down to a pile of rubble.

I'm not a Madrigal fan myself but you know there is a following.

Znak_m, your initial impression of the Vandersteen model 5's is a very common one according to the rumors. But once situatated, settled-in, burned -in, mated with appropriate equipment, the Vandersteen Model 5 is claimed to be one the most outstanding speakers made. Again, according to rumors and reviews.

If you should happen to read up on the man Rick Vandersteen and the tremendous detail he put into the design of the Vm5's, it becomes apparent why some consider it among the best. Time and phase coherent, every driver is custom made, the inertness of the cabinet, the first order crossovers, upgradeability, the list goes on. Make no mistake, RV is anal.

If you have the means to consider speaker replacement, read as much as you can about about the Vm5's and give 'em another 'thorough' chance.

-IMO

Before you start replacing cables and components, give some more thought to your speaker placement. You should try near field listening to eliminate some of the problems with the side windows. Try moving the speakers to about 6 feet from the back wall, and move them in to about 8 feet apart. Put your listening position so that it forms an equilateral triangle. This should firm up and fill-in the center image and increase the sound stage. Play with speaker toe-in and the tube traps to work the center image and sound stage. I believe that George Cardas (cables) has a speaker method that may be of benefit. Good Luck

Zank,

So what you are saying is that you got your gear at a dealer? Even though I love AGON there is no replacement for a good dealer, yes, we pay more but we get more...A LOT more.

With this in mind, the speakers are probably not that old right? If not, I would go back to the dealer and tell him you are having problems with synergy and suspect the speaker is at the heart of the whole thing. Ask 2 things:
1. Can I try the Vandies, or whatever else you are interested in, at home? If the answer is "No" there is a problem. But from what you have said, I assume they will be cooperative. My dealer buddy has driven 3 hours to drop off equipment and has mailed out Lamm ML1s and Art Audio Mono blocks for a person to test in their system - at the same time no less. So hopefully your dealer will work with you.
2. My dealer will take your current purchase back within a year and give you the full price you paid toward an upgrade. This is not unheard of (though I am afraid it is getting much rarer). Either way, I would ask if you can trade them in on something simliar and you pay difference if they are more and he gives you a credit if you trade down.

Now, before you go that far I would:
1. Make sure your equipment is REAL broken in.
2. Get that first reflection issue taken care of.
3. Insure your speaker placement is optimal (dealer should help if you are stuck) if you are confident in him, do some research to get at this. People on AGON can help.
4. AFTER 1-3...Now this is going to sound like I am talking out both sides of my mouth but I am not. I would get your dealer to lend you cables (broken in cables) that are warmer - usually solid core but not exculsively and try out different combinations to see how much impact this has. If 1-3 moves you in the right direction, a fair amount, then this last step would probably provide the answer of changing speakers.

You can still toy with different speakers while you go through 1-4.

good luck, it sounds like fun,
charles