High output from the main instrument or vocal. Hmmm still sounds like distortion from the turntable setup to me. 45RPM audiophile especially. Hmm more dynamics, bigger demand on the turntable cartridge, tracking, tonearm etc. Do you have your turntable perfectly balanced? It the tracking force too light? Anti-skate done properly? Turntables are not like installing a refrigerator or hanging a picture frame. They are the most critical component in a system. I must have owned at least 200 different components in my life. And the BIGGEST improvement I ever made was going from a Dual 1229 to a SOTA Sapphire. Not even speakers as different as Klipsch vs ProAc (or dozens of others) ever made such a sonic difference. Micrometers, protractors, balancing measurements, magnifying lenses, etc, and a couple of hours time to setup a turntable placed where you are going to use it (not just at a dealer and then brought home) is what it takes to get it right. That is, sure a dealer can do the rudimentary setup, but the finer aspects of the setup must be done where the turntable is going to reside.
Looking for new speakers
I'm looking to upgrade my Thiel CS3.6s -- I never thought I'd say this, but I think they are not good enough for the rest of my system.
Within the last two years, I've upgraded my amplification to a Luxman L-509x integrated amp, and upgraded my turntable to a Luxman 171a. Overall my system sounds pretty good --- MUCH better than before the upgrade. However, there are some recordings on which there is definite distortion, particularly especially well-mastered 45s. For example, Diana Krall's Look of Love has so much distortion it's almost unlistenable. Even in the 33s, I can now hear a low-level distortion.
My theory is that when the Thiels were manufactured, the electronics were not quite as good as they are now, and definitely the recordings were not mastered as expertly, so these weaknesses did not show up. They were great speakers in their day, but, alas, I think maybe that day has passed, at least in my system.
I'm looking for something in the $10K - $15K range. Not sure if there's anything in that range that would be enough of an improvement, but I'd love some suggestions. It's been many years since I've looked at speakers, so I'm not really up on what's available at that price point.
Within the last two years, I've upgraded my amplification to a Luxman L-509x integrated amp, and upgraded my turntable to a Luxman 171a. Overall my system sounds pretty good --- MUCH better than before the upgrade. However, there are some recordings on which there is definite distortion, particularly especially well-mastered 45s. For example, Diana Krall's Look of Love has so much distortion it's almost unlistenable. Even in the 33s, I can now hear a low-level distortion.
My theory is that when the Thiels were manufactured, the electronics were not quite as good as they are now, and definitely the recordings were not mastered as expertly, so these weaknesses did not show up. They were great speakers in their day, but, alas, I think maybe that day has passed, at least in my system.
I'm looking for something in the $10K - $15K range. Not sure if there's anything in that range that would be enough of an improvement, but I'd love some suggestions. It's been many years since I've looked at speakers, so I'm not really up on what's available at that price point.
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Agree with the others that there is a problem upstream. If in the unlikely event that it turns out to be the loudspeakers and you want to make a jump to something else.... +1 for http://aaudioimports.com/ShowProduct.asp?hProduct=320 Seriously good. Best of luck |
I haven't read all of the responses but it does sound like there are some problems in your new set up. It is rare that something becomes unlistenable unless there is a problem before the signal gets to the speakers. I had Thiel 2.2s for a long time and generally loved their sound. They could be a little bright at times.The 3.6s had a similar sound but greater bass. When I moved my system into a dedicated music room that was 17x32 with a cathedral ceiling and a truncated back wall, the Thiels were just not big enough to fill the room. Added a Sunfire subwoofer but getting the integration right was difficult. I listen to Krall, jazz and R&R. I listened to and bought Legacy Focus speakers that had two 12" woofers in each speaker and love them. They have been replaced by the Focus SE in the Legacy line. Legacy speakers continue to have great reviews with the higher cost Aeris model and those above it. I certainly would listen to them once you find the "bug" in your set up. |
Theo, The great news is that if you have an itch for new speakers, a strong market exists for your current Thiels. That is a nice problem to have. You can find some pretty amazing speakers for $10-15K, but I do wonder if you would be happier. I would highly suggest you hang onto the Thiels for a bit if you do change to avoid sellers remorse. Many on the Thiel thread have speakers dating back to the 90's being run by SOTA amplification and sources. |
- 46 posts total