2. tech-talk
  3. 165882-105882

Seeking ideas about how to improve my system

Hi all.  I recently purchased a pair of Hifiman Susvara headphones, and the experience of listening to them is absolutely sublime.  I particularly enjoyed the clarity of detail and the very realistic timbre of the instruments.  Tone, timing, and spatial representation were wonderful.   I listen primarily to jazz, classical, bluegrass, and, though much less than in the past, rock.  Favorite musicians include Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Brad Mehldau, Mark Knopfler, Mark O’Connor, Joshua Bell, and many cellists.  
BUT, I would like my full system to produce that kind of experience too!  I’m looking for any and all feedback as to how to tweak or upgrade my system so that I can moved towards this type of experience.  I would expect to spend up to $20K, possibly more, over the long run (meaning years), so I am expecting a process and would also like feedback as to what to do first.  My room is about 20’ x 20’ x 9’ as a very rough estimate.

my components:
Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s
2 REL Ti7’s
Lyngdorf TDAI 2170
Manley Chinook phono amp
VPI Prime Scout with upgraded platter and tonearm, on a Townshend seismic platform
Ortofon Quintet black mc cart
Modwrighted Marantz SACD player and power source
Chord DAVE DAC/amp/preamp
Aurender N100C network streamer using Qobuz
Audioquest Rocket 88 speaker cables
Shunyata power cables (a mix)with Shunyata power distributor 
Shunyata, Nordost blue heaven, and Cardas clear interconnects

My analog end became downright unimpressive after I added the DAVE and the Aurender to my digital end, but the Susvara bests it all (in SQ, I realize it is just a headphone and not a full system).

Looking forward to responses.

  • — akajek






128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xjeankunin
tablejockey
3,916 posts
 
This ISN'T a "one size fits all ears" guide. Just gives more perspective
http://www.cardas.com/speaker_placement.php

Don't forget-that undamped ceiling is a factor in attempting to tame a room. Look at any serious sound room-their are tiles on the ceiling.

1 foot from the wall isn't going helping with creating the illusion of depth and spaciousness. Works for dialing in bass, but then compromise on everything else. The balancing act can be challenging. That's where your subs kick in- to make for having the speakers way out in the room.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Manley Chinook phono amp
VPI Prime Scout with upgraded platter and tonearm, on a Townshend seismic platform
Ortofon Quintet black mc cart

And yet
My analog end became downright unimpressive after I added the DAVE and the Aurender to my digital end
Sorry, but either this is a troll or you are trying to put legs on a snake. I give even odds. Either way, no way to help a man in such a sad state of confusion.

Oh, and headphones put the sound inside your head. The system puts the sound stage before you. Legs on a snake! Again, no way to help a man so deeply conflicted.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,520 posts
 
   "...I recently purchased a pair of Hifiman Susvara headphones, and the experience of listening to them is absolutely sublime..."

I think most of us have had this experience. A good headphone will drive you to upgrade your loudspeaker system. No other choice, the headphones have shown your system is lacking and you will need a big upgrade to reach or surpass your headphone system. So I'd start with a big loudspeaker upgrade and then start thinking about an amp/preamp.  
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
MC I had snake leg soup just the other day.. They have um, there is just a shortage.. LOL

Gear heavy, I'm guilty of it too. Simple is better...

The room seems to have some dampening, but MC does have a point, I haven't got a clue what you added.  I'm pretty sure if I don't know what it is, I probably don't need it..

I'm using a phono stage in a C20 Mac with a V15 MM cart. It still sounds better then my Sony ES silver spinners. 

I just listened to a new release of Carlos, (the wifes favorite) She won't say what she spent. LOL (I'm cheap)

 Holy Moly... I though I had a whole new pair of ears. I'm not kidding, wow they did a good job. It had to be mastered from tape, it had to be, or some kind of hybrid thing.. THAT is a serious mix on vinyl..

I use to get vinyl for radio stations, that's what it sounded like.. I KNOW the wife knows the difference, she will spend, I won't.. I'll spend money on gear and room treatment and drapes and carpet, but the wife. EXPENSIVE records.. The Rolling Stones, she would mortgage the house..

One integrated Mac SS. One TD124 TT, 2 QSO808 speakers, cables and a router. The wife's set up.. You should hear it.. PERFECT...
35hz to 16K

She can hear better, but she will move a speaker on ya.. You have to be careful.. Pushing around 390 lb  speakers.. Toe rag...

Regards
jond's avatar
jond
5,847 posts
 
It’s not that headphones necessarily show what your speakers are lacking it’s that phones take the room entirely out of the equation. Your gear seems fine I would work on your room if you want to improve things.
More to discover