2. amps-preamps
  3. 1050798009

what's my problem?

here's my scoop:

I have a pair of NHT 2.5i's
rotel rcd 971 transport
MSB link DACIII
Unison Research Unico

I'm not getting the clarity or the air i was hoping for. I picked up the integrated last week, and i figured I'd give it warm up time and some break-in. Not sure what's going on. It HAS started sounding better...smoother...but it just isn't giving me the extension that i want, nor is it giving me the midrange clarity that i expected...

What do you guys think my weak spot is? I'm starting to think it might be the speakers. Perhaps i've simply outgrown the NHT sound. Further, my speakers are a little large for my room which translates to a fairly boomy sound. (The setup sounded better with the smaller NHT 1.3a's that i owned up until recently)

I have heard nothing but good things concerning the Unico, so i'm fairly certain it is not the problem. My front end is decent too (I've heard it in various setups and always sounded good).

Speaker cable is Audioquest type 4 (crap) and interconnects are Monster interlink 400 (also crap). The monster could be one of the causes of the problem.

Also, i have the stock tubes in the unit. Would a change of tubes reap an astonishing change?

HEELLLLPP!!! i'm going crazy!!!

thanks guys,

Steve
loose
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
First look at your electrical outlet. Replace if in doubt w/ a new one. (2) A good power cord to your Unico. DIY $40/Beldon 83802. (3) Replace interconnects/spk. wire. (4) Let equipment break/settle in. (5)Change tube/s in Unico.(6) Decide if spks/amp have synergy. If your spks. need power and are "laid back" they may not match well w/ a laid back amp. May have to try a more forward/lively/brighter spk. such as JM Lab/B & W and such others? Good Luck! Bill
mwilson
430 posts
 
The Type 4 speaker cable, while not crap, certainly is a colored cable. It really humps the upper bass in many systems, and midrange can be congested.

And I agree, run (don't walk) over there and yank the Monster 400's. Give them to someone you're obligated to be nice to but really don't like.

Replacing the stock tubes can give you much higher clarity and air (especially if you seek out some good NOS or top current production tubes), but this is not a priority in your situation. Consider it down the road once things are settled in and you start itching again.

I agree with other posters that changing the power cords is beneficial - I would do this before fiddling with tubes. I would call it a toss-up whether to experiment with the PC or speaker cables first, but the interconnect is a definite #1 priority.

And as everyone has said, break it in. A few weeks of almost constant playing may change your reality substantially.

Mike
labtec
189 posts
 
I think you answered your own question when you said the speakers are too large for your room and the bass is boomy. Excessive bass energy could definitely give you the perception of less midrange clarity and lack of air and extension.

In fact, it's probably the only explanation that would lead you to dramatic feelings such as "I'm going crazy" and "I'm in audio hell". Your equipment is high quality and would not generate that bad of a sound without some ancillary issue. While your cables could be better, I seriously doubt they are the primary cause of the problem.

What's the solution? Well, you said yourself that your system sounded better with the smaller NHT model. I would borrow some smaller speakers designed for your size room and see how they perform with your new Unison. You should also get a Radio Shack SPL meter and a test tone disc to further confirm the excessive bass energy in your setup. Lot's of eqipment sound flat/neutral on a test bench, but inroom measurements are the only ones that really count.

Good luck
rbstehno
1,483 posts
 
i have owned many NHT speakers during the past 8 years (Super Zeros, model 1, 1.5's, 2.9's, AC2, and a pair of Sub 2's) and the only pair I currently have today are the sub twos's. NHT is not known for their "warm" sound, they are better know for being a little bright sounding. I tried Mcintosh, Odyssey, and classe gear (which all have a warm sound to them) and the NHT 2.9's I had still sounded a little bright sounding but the bass was tighter because of the better amps. As for bass, the 2.5's I listened to did have a "loose" sound to them compared to the 2.9's and 3.3's. If you like the 2.5's, try a more powerfull amp (try any of the above amps with at least 150-200 watts) and the bass might become more solid instead of boomy.
mtbrider
150 posts
 
I definitely don't think the Unico is your problem. You admit that the speakers overpower the room with bass energy. The Unico actually is rated to deliver 120w into 4 ohms, so it has plenty of "juice" for the NHT's. You provide your own answer, in part, when you say the 1.3's sounded better. I agree that cable changes are in order, as well as an upgraded power cord. But, those changes may not be able to ameliorate what seems to be a basic room/speaker mismatch. Stick with the Unico...I use it with Meadowlark Swift's and find that the combination is wonderful!Gerry
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