How to add depth for classical music

I’ve managed to get the best imaging and depth I’ve ever gotten from a stereo system...in a room utterly devoid of any specific room treatments, and in a room with its share of supposed issues.

What I did was do the best I could to place the speakers and my listening chair as far out into the room as reasonably possible while keeping suitable distance between speakers and chair. I got out the measuring tape and carefully put my listening chair as close to dead center between the speakers as possible. I experimented with toeing the speakers in, having them fire straight ahead, and making it so the speakers fired away from each other. I eventually adjusted them so they fire very slightly inward. I experimented with speaker grills both on and off. I left them on (!). Agreed, I’ve got some pretty decent components -- such as a PrimaLuna Integrated Amp, Nola Boxer speakers and a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge, but nothing remotely state-of-the-current-art. I also have absolutely zero electronic imaging gizmos.

Finally, I got to tell you I’m pretty much a classical guy.


https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8753#&gid=1&pid=1

@edcyn

Imagine how much easier your life would have been with better room treatments.   :)

eric -- yeah, but think of all the fun I would've missed playing Boy Scientist.

Do yourself a favour and ignore millercarbon
and yes ignore SR

Also better ignore "In my opinion, Chuck has achieved audio nirvana- that thing about being drawn into the music and hearing more and more detail, hearing the inflection of the voice whether it’s pain, joy, or spite (Cry Me a River). Horns were smooth, never harsh. The sound was wide and big, speakers disappeared"
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
Because, you know, snake oil.

I’ve managed to get the best imaging and depth I’ve ever gotten from a stereo system...in a room utterly devoid of any specific room treatments, and in a room with its share of supposed issues.

What I did was do the best I could to place the speakers and my listening chair as far out into the room as reasonably possible while keeping suitable distance between speakers and chair. I got out the measuring tape and carefully put my listening chair as close to dead center between the speakers as possible.

If you had any idea how many times I’ve said this exact same thing. Look at my system page. Yes I even bothered taking a picture just to drive home the point of how critical precise speaker placement is.

But hey, tape measure, sounds like snake oil, better to just ignore.

I can't listen to classical on any of my solid state gear. I'm surprised nobody has identified the weak link as the Parasound amps.  I crave detailed, liquid midrange with punch with ensemble music and classical.  Parasound solid state didn't get me there. Great amps for what they do, but not for that.

Have you considered mixing a tube amp or preamp to get the depth and layering you're looking for?  If it were me, I'd throw a shag rug down with a 1/2" felt rug pad underneath and see the improvement in sound that gets you before spending more money on treatments. This alone can work wonders, cheaply. 

After that, try a tube preamp before the parasound amps and see if that does it for you. If you're still not there, sell the parasounds and try a modern tube amplifier that can handle the 90db sensitivity of your speakers. 

The greatest improvement in sound I've ever experienced in my two channel setup coming from reference solid state gear, was adding a McGary SA-1 amplifier and a MicroZOTL preamp.  I stayed up until 3am my first two nights in a row because i could not believe the auditory bliss I was experiencing, it was addictive, and it made my Legacy speakers sound better than any of the demos I've heard at RMAF, Axpona, or CAF which I attend every year.  If those are out of your price range, you can look for a used Primaluna or Cayin amp.  Great value!

Full disclosure, I'm a dealer for both McGary and LTA (MicroZOTL amps/preamps).  But I only became one because I had never heard sound like that in my system before, and I wanted to provide demos in my area for audiophiles and forum members from here and AVS.  

Nothing from PS Audio, Rogue, Parasound, or any of the chi-fi tube amps got me there, but that's just part of this terrible affliction.  The search for the end game sound keeps us all on the mouse wheel!

If you're in southern California I will happily demo for you. Either way, I urge you to seek out a local dealer and audition wherever you are.  Online reviewers will usually lead you astray. Stay vigilant :)

-Alex