2. amps-preamps
  3. 1062538785

Where is my weakest link?

Just moved back to my newly remodeled home, finally got to hear my system again. My system consists of:

Sony SCD-777ES
Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE (Siemen 6922)
BAT VK-150 (stock Sovtek 6SN7)
Sonus Faber Amati Homage
AQ Diamond X3
AQ Clear X3
Cardas Golden Cross power cords

My room is 14x18 with speakers on the short wall, about 5' from the back all. I have very LITTLE bass. I have moved the speakers to 4' from the back wall to experiment, but no big improvement. I lost more bass when I pulled them further out of the back wall as expected because of 1/3 node cancellation.

I know Cu interconnect will give me more bass. Short of changing all my cables, what else can I change to improve bass without losing the transparency? I know Siemen is known to be on the lean side, should I start there or the 6SN7? Thanks for the help.
semi
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Take a spl meter and test cd and get some readings before you spend a bunch of money, place the speakers for best bass responce and tweak from there. Marakanetz may have your answer if that does not work.

Dave
semi OP
649 posts
 
To answer some of your questions, the room they used to be in was slightly larger (19x14). I got more bass driving them with PS Audio HCA-2 or Pass X-350, but tube is ultimately what I wanted and settled for. Listening position was also tried, but at 3' from the wall, it had worked well for me for the past several years.

Yes, two dedicated AC lines with power filter feeding CD and pre, power amps are plugged straight to the wall. No bi-wire capability with Sonus Faber, so one pair of amp is all I can use (thank God).

Sounds like wire is what I should replace? I had very good luck with JPS Superconductor 2, but they were so stiff they broke one of my input on the SF Line 3 SE. What else is out there that won't sacrifice the air/speed/transparency of Diamond X3 and still give me more bass?

Thanks.
newbee
4,767 posts
 
Semi, before you buy expensive cables I encourage you to experiment more with placement. In my experience your listening position should be further out into your room, like 4 to 4 1/2 feet (sort of matching your speakers). I would buy a Radio Shack sound level meter and a test disk (you need also to get the corrections for the bass numbers - its mostly down under 60 hz) and chart out different locations for speakers and listening position. In my 19.5 x 13.5 ft room I found mine at 25% into the room for speakers and listening position). Also, you don't mention side wall distances - you will get some reinforcement from that placement as well. You might look at Rives site and plug in your room dimensions and see what that would recommend. IMHO, while cables might make a difference, it will only be a subtle one.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I second the thought on placement. I have been trying different ones over the past three years and have only just found what I consider the best so far. The second-last try imaged well but had a midbass hump and no low bass; a new placement took care of both. Frustratingly, the latest greatest speaker position was an accident--happened because kids overnighted in the listening room and the speakers had to be moved. Never underestimate the value of kids.

Getting the rack out of a corner node helped too.
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marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
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