2. amps-preamps
  3. 1070807620

Sound is too big for my room.

I just got an original B&K st140 amp and PS Audio 4.5 preamp. I use them with my Music Hall MMF CD25 and JM Lab Chorus 706 speakers. The sound in straightire (passive mode) is great. The B&K has really tamed the highs. Everything sounds like natural, live music. The B&K really brings the bass out in the speakers. WOW! The soundstage has disappeared as it seems like the players are in my room. The problem is it sounds so live their are no boundaries to the sound. Most of the imaging is to the rear of the speakers and along the width of the room and Im in a small 10'x14' room. I think my room is too small for this set up and Im considering going back to my Arcam A65 integrated. Any tips or should I just sell?
bundee1
subaruguru
1,375 posts
 
Ok, ok. Just try the integrated, as you don't need the giant dynamic swings anyway. The imaging/scale/WOW is more about the Chorus/room setup than the electronics. So turn it down, get a smaller amp, or suspend a couple of tissues over those JMLabs tweeters if they're a little hot for you. No kidding...they're on the bright side, and if you can't dampen the sidewalls this might help take 'em down a dB.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
It sounds like what you are missing is "life" at low volume. The amp is a factor here, but so are the speakers. Some don't come alive until you crank things. Are you saying that with the old integrated, you got this sense of life at low volume?
suretyguy
44 posts
 
I've got to admit that I don't understand the problem. What you describe is something that a lot of audiophiles spend a lot of money for, but never seem to achieve. What am I missing?
bundee1 OP
147 posts
 
To give you guys a little more info. There is no soundstage depth only width. The sound is not as coherent as with my little integrated. I dont know how else to describe it.
bundee1 OP
147 posts
 
Actually the amp presents the image as being behind the speakers and since Im in a small room I cant pull the speakers out further out into the room. This results in a sort of incomplete sound. Ive switched over to my old amp and everything is more or less better. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
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