Jazz for aficionados

Questions To The Frogman:

I have noticed, for some time actually, that when I listen at my sweet spot, which is an equal distance from each speakers, the left channel always seems to be the dominate channel.  Most of the musical information seems to come from the left speaker.   This was true with all three different systems.  The center of the sound-stage seems to be slightly to my Center-Left.  Between the left speaker and the equipment rack, which sits in the middle.

The classical recording I played did not exhibit this.  (Norrington's LvB 9th), but all the pop recordings did.

After a search, this  has been discussed online, so I am not alone.  Is this a common situation?   And why?

Comments?

I did switch the outputs cables from my tuners, and the dominance went to the right.

Cheers

Told you......audiophile 😊

Kidding aside:

I have a similar issue that has been annoying at times.  First thing that comes to mind and what is the problem in my system is...no surprise, the room.  Even though the speakers are equidistant from the room corners, the construction of my room is very different where the left speaker is situated vs the right.  On the left is a load bearing brick wall with shelves holding a couple thousand lps.  On the right, it is not a load bearing wall with a built in cabinet with glass doors and then large pocket doors.  Left wall is very dense and the right wall is resonant and reflective.  The rear half of the room is essentially the same.  The sound is audibly thinner and brighter on the right side of the room; bassier and slightly louder on the left.  Result is that center images lean slightly left,

Are there any major differences in the construction of your room left/right;  or major differences re furniture or other items in the room left/right?  Is the left speaker closer to that corner of the room or the left wall?  If it’s any of the above then you can experiment with placement if possible or adding/removing large items in the proximity of the speakers.  

However, if the problem is in one of your components:


You say that when you switched output cables on the tunerS that the problem switched sides.  This suggests that the problem is a tuner output balance problem.  But, ALL your tuners have the same problem?  Highly unlikely.  Interesting.  You also say that your pop cds exhibit the same problem.  Even more Interesting because this suggests that the problem is with your amp (integrated?).  This is what I would do to trouble shoot:

You have to be VERY methodical every step of the way,  First, eliminate the room.  Listen with headphones.  Do you still have the same problem?  
When you switched output cables, I assume you switched only at one end, not both.  If you switched the cables at both ends and the problem went to the other side then it’s possible that the problem is one of the cables.  I experienced a similar problem once that was the result of a bad solder joint in one of the cables; and another time it was the RCA output jack on a CD player that was about to fail.  However, make sure that you listen to more than one recording; some recordings have less than perfect channel balance and can really confuse matters.  

Try headphones and get back to us.  Several more steps in the process.

I bought a great Croft pre-amp with dials for both left and right sound
because in a 850 sq ft Condo my placement choice is VERY limited .
To a large extent solved the problem , Left speaker is a meter from wall ,Right is 6 meters . As frog said , every recording is different , 2 dials can do a lot better than just one balance .


If I was young, just starting, and knew what I know now , I would go head phone . Every one says do the room , true enough. but in many situations
for many people , just not possible .

P.S . Bad solder is OFTEN the problem . One reason I went for the not cheep Croft was because all the hand made hard wiring done by Mr Croft himself in England is a work of art . And the phono on the Micro 25 is sweet
as well .. IMO being an audiophile or not is irrelevant . What matters is listening to serious LIVE music as much as you can and as often as you can .


Which however may be almost impossible in future .

To this day, one of the best and most memorable sounds from a stereo system that I have ever heard was years ago (early 90s) at the first NYC hi fi show. Celestion SL-700 monitors on what at first I thought were stands that were too low driven by Croft tube monos. I even remember the record that I had brought along Marriner/St. Martin ITF/Bach Concerto for oboe and violin C Minor on EMI. Gorgeous sound. Smallish soundstage, like sitting toward the back of the hall, but so tonally natural with amazing image stability and scale. Rhythmically fantastic. The antithesis of in your face, but as close to the real thing as I’ve ever heard.

Also at that show,I remember one of the weirdest very expensive sounds I ever heard. Sonny Rollins “Live at the Village Vanguard” on the Jadis “Eurythmy” horn speakers. Some ungodly price for such weird sound.

You got it frog . Croft is 3 things , musical. musical and musical ! I am close to dropping down 1500 $ for his 40 watt amp that goes with
my pre .My large Quad S5 speakers 3 way with 4 drivers in front and 3 ABR in back are not easy to drive nor all that hard either . My current Belles 150A reference MK II does well .

My brain says no , but my heart says 40 Croft SS watts are in there with a Pass or Cory Tube 40 .
Boy , how I remember that EMI Bach , lost in move .Those who referred to Marriner as a " Kapellmeister", and there were many, were full of s..t .