Is it me? Will I ever be satisfied?
As we have become empty nesters, we put together or are putting together a nice dedicated two channel system consisting of B&W 804 D3, Levinson No. 333 ( this is an older amp 20+ years old), McIntosh C22 (just purchased) in which I have already upgraded the tubes, Linn Lp12 TT, Blue Sound for streaming. I am using Transparent balanced cables and Transparent speaker cables - not sure of the exact model, but all Transparent cables are close to 20 years old as well.
My questions, while I think the system sounds good - even really good. I don't think it sounds great. I recently purchased the C22 to be used with the No. 333 which I replaced a McIntosh MA252, which i really like and use in another system, it didn't have enough power. My room is our garage which we converted to a playroom years ago. It is approximately 25' and 20' wide. We sit about 12' from the speakers which are at one end of the room .. While I realize that this hobby or lifestyle can be never ending.... I am considering upgrading the cables next and last but not least, add a new Amp, McIntosh MC462 or MC312.
Wanted to get some feedback, thoughts, in site, advice what you experience, am I missing anything? Thanks
You know what helped me…? Listening to sound systems in my local shops. There are three places not too far from me and they each have a different approach and different gear. I listen to mine, and then I listen to the $280,000 system at the dealer and I don’t feel too bad…! Mine sounds close…but I can hear the room for improvement. Not having an unlimited budget makes each step exciting and semi torturous…
Nothing a few weeks in therapy might Cure. I’m having a blast. Hope you are too. |
Fix the room 1st. Treatments? Using the rule of 1/3’s, 1/5 for speaker placement. You don’t need equilateral setup, if you read Jim Smith’s book/video, he uses 85% (?) distance between the speakers to how far you are away from them. Also, you probably don’t want those tweeters beaming straight at you, try forward facing with little toe in, Then get a McIntosh or Classe amp to tone down the sizzling B&W speakers. Every dealer I saw with B&W speakers always used these amps for good reason, remember B&W bought Classe years ago which were warm sounding amps. You have a weak digital setup compared to your other audio components. Get a good external dac with Ethernet and/or i2s, there are many from $5k up, move the bluesound to a bedroom or an area used for background music and use a computer with roon or get an Auralic Aries/gx or nucleus if you don’t want to deal with computers. If you cartridge is old, get a new 1 or get yours rebuilt. |
Quick answer: NO. You have an addiction , a fever, and you will never be satisfied until and if the fever/addiction tempers and washes through you. Eventually you'll get over missing the arrival of the new toy and the hearing the new sound, maybe. If you have the cash now, you may really be in for the long hall though because the temptation spend money is strong. But just in case you want to drop another $6,000, get a Holo Audio May KTE to feed from your Bluesound Node. I did that with my C2700, MC611s and Legacy Focus SEs, huge sound improvement. I feel like my fever is starting to ebb. Maybe. |
@goducks44 , can you ever be satisfied? Yes, absolutely. The problem is that you have to know what you like and how to get there without spinning your wheels. If you are unhappy with the sound of your system it is far more than likely that you are unhappy with your speakers and room. While electronics particularly amplifiers do make a difference they are at best 10% of the show. Before you spend more money you need to find all the dealers near you and listen to as many speakers as you can. Shows will be starting up again. Do your research and take your time. Good speakers will last you a life time. Do not shy away from listening to very expensive systems. You have to have points of reference. Listen to all types of speakers, horns and planars. point source and line source. If you have any small clubs near you go listen to live music, another point of reference. Once you have the right speakers you have to deal with the room in the context of those loudspeakers. If you want to be scientific about it get one of these so you can see what you have to do and measure the results.
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