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Trying to find an amp that matches my tastes (aka death metal)

So I think I am ready to change my set up/upgrade.

My current analog chain is VPI Prime (Orto 2m Bronze) > MX-VNYL > PrimaLuna Prologue Classic > Zu Omen DW mkII. Digital is Rega Apollo > PrimaLuna Prologue Classic > Zu Omen DW mkII

I feel like I am ready to move into separates and have my eyes on either the Schiit Freya + / Aegir monoblocks or a Rogue RP-1 / First Watt J2.

The issue I have is access to local dealers and also my musical tastes.

Not discounting people's likes, but so much of the audio world is geared towards Rock/Classical/Jazz and I have a very difficult time finding reviews that cite death metal/hardcore/trash metal. I also listen to a good deal of scores and jazz, but a large potion of my time is spent with bands that sound like the following:

Gorguts - Obscura

Death - Lack of Comprehension

Mare Cognitum - Weaving The Thread Of Transcendence
The issue I feel I am having is that I am not hearing much detail or clarity. Some of that might be down to the recordings, but I am wondering if there is a different set up? Would a move to tube/SS help? or all SS? Maybe a SS amp and a passive pre?

I don't feel I want to chase warmth, I'd rather feel like I am at a show or in the recording studio, if that makes sense.

Any help is appreciated!
kcdd
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,824 posts
 
The Prima Luna >>> Zu Audio combination is a very good one.  The Zu's are pretty efficient and they are a rock oriented speaker and the PL's 35 to 40 watts should be enough.

Hopefully you are using KT88s or 6550s as your tube set.  EL34s will probably not have enough umph for you.

I am thinking that placing an equalizer in the mix would work out best for you, as you could isolate the frequency band you wish to augment.

This one from Schiit looks interesting.  Cost is ok, as well.  I used a Behringer for years in an old set-up.

https://www.schiit.com/products/loki?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIypLQyN2z5gIVJYFaBR0EwQmTEAYYBiABEgI7uvD_BwE

These days I go as hard as Metallica S&M.

Good luck.


Rich 
mesch
3,530 posts
 
If interested in a equalizer, try the Schiit Loki. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
kcdd
Trying to find an amp that matches my tastes


I don’t think the 20w watt Aegir (very nice) is going to be enough for you.
I suggest you get the Omen’s speaker xover split so you have tweeter terminals and bass terminals. And horizontal bi-amp them.
http://www.av2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/biamp1.jpg

Using the 20w class-A Schiit Aegir on the tweeters, and the 100w Schiit Vidar on the bass, and use a $39 Schiit Sys passive on the input of the louder of the amps so you can equalize the gains perfectly.
And use a pre still for the master volume control

Cheers George
kcdd OP
6 posts
 
Thanks for the recommendations. The EQ is a great suggestion that I hadn’t really thought off. Time to buy one and see!

i do tend to use mid era slayer to evaluate. The production on south of heaven is rich as hell.
geof3
1,129 posts
 
"I do tend to use mid era slayer to evaluate. The production on south of heaven is rich as hell."

Ah yes, forgot about that one! Some good old Cowboys in Hell is fun too!

And I would tend to agree with the above regarding equipment. You definitely need fast speakers that can handle the "tick" of current blast beat kick drums, along with the heavy mids of detuned guitars. Current metal is just slamming. In fact, I try to avoid a "box of chocolate" mixes when I put together various playlists. Invariably the metal stuff (Def Tones, In This Moment and a few others that are on the list) pop up at a nominal volume set for other styles and just blast overall. Good ol' metal. I usually listen to my metal stuff very specifically to avoid this. Best thing to do is walk into your local Hi-Fi store with South as Heaven que'd up and have fun. Then watch the sales person wince with your music selection. Lucky for me, my local guy is a closet metalhead and we get to have fun with some of the "big stuff". To date, McIntosh for whatever reason, seems to handle metal very well through a variety of speakers.
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