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Holographic Soundstage ?

I would like to share my observation and hopefully get some input from people who have the same interest.

My system consist of Wharfedale Opus 3 , Krell KRC-3 preamp, Krell KSA 150 amp, Chord Qutest DAC and a computer with JCAT USB EX running Roon/with LPSU from HDPlex.
I mainly like holographic soundstage and would be able to achieve a very good 3D soundstaging with my current Krell setup.
I decided to try out tube amp a couple days ago because I read through the internet and everybody told me that tube amp always have better holographic soundstage and 3D imaging comparing to SS amp.
So I order a Raven Blackhawk MK3 from Raven audio with 45 days home trial just to try it out. I was expecting a very holographic soundstage that will blow my Krell out of the water.
Well, I was so WRONG. The Krell combo actually has a deeper and wider soundstage comparing to the Raven.
The Raven also has some very weak bass comparing to the Krell which is more punchy and tonally rich textured bass.
I cannot understand why it happens. I am always under the impression that tube amp will always provide more holographic soundstage. Obviously, In my set up the Krell is superior when it come to 3 dimensionality.

I will keeping trying out the Raven Blackhawk in the next couple of weeks and if things are not improved. I am ready to return the Raven and perhaps trying out the other tube amps (or solid state amps) that can beat the Krell combo.

If any one has some idea of such a product, please let me know. I am looking for an upgrade right now.

viethluu
mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
Also know that that holographic sound quality is partly due to what's coming out of your source components.


~~~~~~~~~~
Well yes, I just added a  Philips 777 phono to my sources. Phono is superior to cds, but my classical collection is mostly cd releases. I am adding LP 's lately and can concur LP's do  possess a  ~3D~ which digital cds  lack, Not sure about the new high bit streaming, which i am not interested in. 
Source used will affect for better or worse...
Also most of my classical cds are not super high resoltion/studio engineered recordings, take this into account, But then also some jazz cds tend to lack that sparkle, such as Diana Krall, tend to be a bit rough in dynamics. 
I think the  1960's,  early 1970's recordings were best sound quality. 

In classical, some EMI and Philips recordings suffer from poor studio  recording. 


asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
5,051 posts
 
Holographic is easy with 4 Walsh....2 front, 2 rear, with judicious level and balance control.

One doesn't need to get too deep into room acoustics and the treatment issue, either.
8th-note
427 posts
 
@ mikekollar

I also have a C9 and I've compared the two processors. I prefer the BSG because the effect covers a wider listening area. You can be sitting a couple feet to either side and you still get the soundstage effect with the BSG but with the Carver you have to be right in the sweet spot. When you are in the right position, the Carver has a somewhat greater effect than the BSG. For everyday listening I like the effect of the BSG somewhat better but the Carver is an excellent processor.

The BSG designer was sketchy about exactly how the processor works but apparently it separates the music into separate bands and applies the phase modification (or whatever) differently to each band. It's a pain to compare the processed signal to the bypassed signal because the processor adds several db of volume which is one feature I definitely don't like. There is some decent information in the review articles but they don't really explain how it works.

On a side note, I heard a demo of Synergistic tweaks at the 2018 AXPONA and was blown away by their Atmosphere thingy (the speakers were upper-end Magicos). It is a narrow square column that sits between and behind the speakers. I couldn't hear any difference from the HFT gizmos but when he turned off the Atmosphere the soundstage collapsed. I can't understand how it works from looking at their website but it certainly had a noticeable positive effect.
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mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,701 posts
 
Interesting..... thanks....
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