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Something just isn't there

I'm hoping some of you with experience can help me evaluate my system. It is, of course, hard to put words on sonic character but sometimes it just isn't there. My system is quite detailed and can have a very nice soundstage but rarely does it grab me. 

The system:Magnum Dynalab MD209 hybrid tube/SS amp,
Manley Chinook tube phono preamp,
Oracle Alexandria factory refurbished,
Oracle Prelude tonearm
Ortophon MC 20 super cart
Joseph Audio RM22si speakers
Audioquest Caldera speaker wire. 

As I have been upgrading the system, I'm left thinking that either speakers or room treatment need attention next.
My room is approximately 12x25with hardwood floor, hard surfaces including art and wooden furniture, two big sofas, and several doorways and windows.   My wife won't take kindly to funky acoustic treatments.Of course the speakers and cartridge are just plain old.  I find auditioning speakers daunting and worry that the showroom experience will not be representative of my home and my electronics. 
Any thoughts would be appreciated. 
Kevin


128x128lobsterotter
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,719 posts
 
Good advice from dgarretson-
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 

@jafant

Cheap advice, as well. In some instances the improvement heard swapping cables and fuses may be the difference between a clean and dirty electrical contact.   This isn't surprising when a cleaning regime produces a handful of dirty Q-tips. 

crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy
381 posts
 

Your room seems to me, to be a big part of your problem. As others have mentioned, an area rug between your listening position and the speakers should help. Your speaker placement in relation to your primary listening position is absolutely critical though, and would be where I would start.. You may want to give the Sumiko Master Set a try. It is a step by step approach to speaker placement. Here's a link:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60819.0

Good luck lobsterotter


jafant's avatar
jafant
19,719 posts
 
My pleasure- Dave.
hddg's avatar
hddg
123 posts
 
usually music doesnt catches you when it's flat. it can have lots of details but be flat. it means most of the time that it doesnt have or lacks dynamics, and combined with other audio factors, it would end up lacking musicality, which is the emotion provider!!
very difficult to investigate your problem from a distance, but my best guess would be either with tuning your tonearm/cartridge, or if you know it is well done, i would then look straight into the amp. i would say that one is not fit. lacks quality and power for your inefficient speakers. you could decide to change to higher dB speakers, but really good and high dB speakers at reasonable prices are difficult to find and often have a strong character of their own which you may not find suitable.  
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