2. misc-audio
  3. 141393-91232

Am I missing something here?

Hello to all Audiophiles on Audiogon.

I am currently using the following system to listen to my music.
Carver M500t
Nad 7130 as preamp.
Arcam r-blink Bluetooth DAC
 Boston A200 Speakers

I am a Bass player now for over 40 years playing various styles and one who listens to all types of music.

So I guess what I am trying to get at here is why am I left so underwhelmed by very expensive highly rated very “thin” sounding audiophile systems that I have encountered when auditioning systems considered for purchase?

I have listened to various tube amps, small to monstrous Piano Lacquered speakers..side firing woofers...etc..I have owned Maggie’s. and various box speakers..(still do) but yet I just can’t get  a similar reproduction in many instances of auditions for instance on a song like “Slap Happy” by Milt Hinton for Bass repro with not only weight, timbre, image and soundstage that my system gives me...also in the same respect minus the bass as say “Blue and Grey by The Who that justifies spending the dollars on a much more expensive system.

I feel my system gives a more true reproduction. Am I jaded from my actual playing music and hearing what that sounds like when comparing to a recorded listening experience?

All said for a system of mine that has cost me roughly $1,200.00 I would say it sounds better than most systems I have heard in the 10k+ region.

Thanks for listening.

Howard

ishkabibil
mahler123
3,257 posts
 
Ish 
fwiw I have a few friends who are very accomplished Classical Musicians who could care less about audio and are pretty content with what I would consider to be low end systems.  It makes me wonder if their brains fill in the missing information...
  it seems that good honest bass reproduction is a priority for you.  I would get the speakers right first.  Have you considered a subwoofer?  Some of them are more sensitive musically than others which are geared more towards rendering loud explosions for movies.  Anyway, a decent sub added to your current equipment and properly integrated can improve your system because it takes the strain off the speakers and the amp in reproducing the low end and lets them concentrate on the mid range, where most music lives.  Just a suggestion for you as your posts haven’t mentioned trying a sub in the past.  I have a Paradigm sub in my HT System which I think gives a nice weight and texture to stand up acoustic bass.
lak's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
lak
4,580 posts
 
In my opinion, one doesn't have to spend a fortune in order to have a system that performs accurately and to your liking. Perhaps you did a very good job selecting components and with your room accustics.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,190 posts
 
You're situation is not unusual.  Your system is not a high definition nor contemporary sounding, but it is highly effective at delivering good sounding music.  You're in a very good place, so don't worry about the high end stuff.
If I were you, I'd get rid of the bluetooth dac and go with a wired connection.  But that's me, not you.
The Boston Acoustics A200 is a well regarded design.  Similar sounding loudspeakers are EPI, Allison, IMF and some Dynacos.  By modern standards they all have rolled off highs, slightly opaque midrange, but wonderful upper bass and bass impact.
ishkabibil OP
422 posts
 
@onhwy61 

Thank you forr the reply...

You wrote....

"You're situation is not unusual. Your system is not a high definition nor contemporary sounding, but it is highly effective at delivering good sounding music."

"Contemporary sounding" implies a 2018 system will eventually have the faults of systems of yesteryear?

This implies a timestamp on a system has an expiry date so to speak and gives a signature or propriatery sound to a system which I believe is not what we seek as chasers of a "sound that puts the band in the room".

It is the duty of a good audio system to reproduce the track as it was recorded on that day...at a certain studio....by a certain engineer...using the tools to what sound they wanted to achieve after the final mix before release.

I dont think we want a "Contemporay" sound or any signature stamped on it.



n80
2,116 posts
 
As many will point out, what an engineer intends his recording to sound like is rarely relevant to the circumstances and equipment the end listener can provide.

So you have to decide how you want your system to sound and build a system that will do that for you.

My system is probably 15 years old. Tower speakers with two 7 inch woofers and rear facing port on each. With a beefy amp and proper positioning I get all the bass I want and when I tried a sub-woofer decided I didn't want or need it.

The bass reproduction on my system is what defines it for me. I lucked into it. The point is, it can be done.
More to discover