2. tech-talk
  3. 152401-81069

Seeking help finding the weak link(s) in my system and offering suggestions please.

Hi! I recently paid a visit to a local audio salon and listened to a system that was so good I was "moved". However, I could never afford the price of entry to realize this kind of sound reproduction. I have spent the last couple of years assembling a system I could afford, focusing on components I felt were the best bang for the buck. I'm not trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, however with your help I am hoping to find where I may have a weak link or two. My budget makes this a challenge as I have only about 1K to invest. Thank you to all those in advance for your suggestions, my system is listed below. One more item, about 90% of my listening is Qobuz streaming.

System:
Dedicated/Isolated 20Amp AC source with PS Audio outlet.
Furman AC power conditioning.
Nordost Magus Power cords for source equipment and Kimber PK10 for Amp.
Ethernet cables all CAT7.
Kimber Silver Streak both balanced and SE throughout.
Speaker cables are Blue-Jeans 10AWG White - two 15' pair.
USB cable from PC to streamer is Audio Adviser Pangea SE 2 meter.
Canare/Have digital 1.5M coax from transport to Streamer.
Krell Vanguard Integrated Amp.
Cambridge Audio AZURE 851N Streamer/DAC.
Sonus Faber Electa monitors.
Sunfire HRS series subwoofer.
Sony SCD2000ES Transport/SACD player.
Luxman T117 Tuner (Best sounding component)?

Again, I appreciate your kind assistance, I am really looking forward to responses!

GRM

grm
tablejockey
3,807 posts
 
No one is mentioning the room and speaker setup in the room?

The basic gear without fancy outlets, cables in a proper room  setup probably would have more impact.
grm OP
149 posts
 
Hello,
Thank you for the link to DSP solutions almarg9. One of their products, for $900 might fit the bill. I am leaning in this direction because I have learned that DRC can do some amazing things with respect to audio reproduction, such as "will make your speakers disappear". Plus, if it does not meet my expectations I can recoup my $ and return the processor. 

I appreciate everyone's contribution, and I agree speaker cables may be one of the weak links in my system, if only there was a no risk solution to trying custom 15' lengths of different cables. I thought I remember reading in these forums that there was a company that could provide this service??
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
747 posts
 
The Cable Company (thecableco.com) has a cable lending library, but generally only has speaker cable lengths of 8-10ft. 

In my experience, DSP room correction is useful for tweaking speaker response to compensate for minor room issues, but only after doing everything possible to adjust the room acoustics with speaker and listener positioning and acoustic treatments. 

You didn't mention your room layout or what treatments you've already installed, but the room if probably the most important component in your system. Getting the room right can make a huge impact on the overall sound quality. 

Some of the companies that specialize in room treatments will provide free consulting to help you figure out what will have the most bang for the buck. Take a look at GIK Acoustics.


erik_squires
15,959 posts
 
The best way to use DSP tuning is AFTER you've spent on room acoustics.

So, I'd suggest you up your budget, maybe to $1,500, and split it among a digital-only miniDSP and the room with GIK Acoustics.

Best,
E
erik_squires
15,959 posts
 
PS - You can in fact use DSP very effectively for a full, fast bass. These can be MAJOR changes, on the order of 20 dB, BUT ....

Room modes are more effectively handled in partnership with bass traps that bleed the energy out of the room, and DSP doesn't do a very good job of handling hash that is extremely listener location dependent.

Point is, DSP and room tuning work in very complementary and effective ways, achieving results not possible with just one or the other.

More to discover