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What's next for the ultimate sound quality?

The question may be naive, but I'm not sure what's next to try in the quest for the ultimate sound. I owned the entry level magnepans mmg (didn't like them much for anything but jazz), monitor audio S6 (good all around, imho, but nothing spectacular except for the cheap price tag). Lately I built speakers myself that should supposedly rival the best in the world (ZRT 2.5 from Zaph Audio with Scanspeak drivers)

(design):
http://www.zaphaudio.com/ZRT.html

actual speakers:
http://picasaweb.google.com/grybkin/ZRTSpeakers

The question is what's next? These speakers use one of the best drivers in the world and the best I've heard to date with excellent bass and accurate sound, but soundstage and imaging could be improved (magnepans are better). Also, the sound is a little thin. Am I asking too much, though, from 2 wooden boxes with paper diaphragms in the middle? The speakers are built precisely up to spec and I'm pretty sure that's the way they should sound.

Have I reached the limit where the speakers should be left alone and improving other components can make better returns; e.g, room acoustics and/or amplifier not to mention using quality recordings?

P.S. The receiver I'm currently using is Panasonic SA57 connected to a computer via digital COAX cable and JULI@ sound card. Despite the cheap price, this receiver is great, imho, and sounds better than my NAD 754 (probably because Panasonic is on the bright side and the speakers are warm, so it pairs with them better).

Thanks!
Gleb.
asdf777
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I second Brian's comments, and just want to add that you're an ACE woodcraftsman! (Where do you live? ;-)
4est
507 posts
 
Is that your listening room? If so, you should first add some stuff to absorb reverberations- whether it be furniture or sound treatments- IMO of course...
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,942 posts
 
I think that you have answered your own question. You say that the speakers are competitive with other high end offerings, but you are using them with a Panasonic reciever. You need to get serious with your amplification to do the speakers justice.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
blu ray audio
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Wow - scary website on Zaph Audio.

He says,
How often has someone said "Forget the measurements and tell me how it sounds." Or "Learn to listen with your ears." Well I hate to say it, but stubborn and uninformed is rearing it's ugly head again. A lack of understanding without an open mind leads to a refusal of the facts and an embrace of whatever view happens to further that individual's cause.
- Wow - this would really upset some A'goners - although the logic that "measurements are relevant" is a mantra that I tend to follow (along with listening too).

As for your comment
These speakers use one of the best drivers in the world and the best I've heard to date with excellent bass and accurate sound, but soundstage and imaging could be improved (magnepans are better).

Sorry to inform you but they use the best of the cheaper mass produced drivers. There are pro drivers out there costing several times more than what you used. But do not be sad - compared to most audiophile speakers the drivers are indeed expensive and good.

FWIW - I would try a good DAC next - your receiver may be giving you jitter issues because of the digital interface - feed it analog and it might sound better - less bright less harsh and more musical. It won't be night and day but with good speakers teh source will matter more.

BTW - Your speakers look absoluetly awesome - absoultely no way I would change those without getting your source up to scratch first!
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