Sell the Volti’s and get Ohm Walsh’s. 3-D room-filling sound from any listening position! I have a pair. An astonishing speaker! Nothing else will make as big a difference!
How do I get the best soundstage?
I have a better than decent digital system. I.e. Pass integrated amp, Innuos streamer and USB reclocker, Ayre DAC with Less Loss power cable and firewall, Volti speakers. I’m my dedicated listening room the digital system is sonically superb to my ear - Except that the soundstage is ok but not the best. So, maybe I missed the boat on that. I have a vintage Technics table and Phono box S2 (basic start for vinyl). I’m now ready to move up to a better TT and phono preamp. I already have a used TT, a VPI Classic, coming. So, I’m looking for advice on how to get an exceptional soundstage. Should I be looking at spending more on the phono preamp or does the cartridge make more of a difference in soundstage. Also, should I be questioning the speakers for soundstage quality?. I’m looking to spend no more that 3500 on a used preamp. The VPI table has a low output mc Transfiguration Axia cartridge. Thanks in advance for any ideas you can share!
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- 18 posts total
I second that you should spend as much on a phono stage as the TT + cartridge… the Phonostage is critical in imaging. I would recommend looking at Audio Reseach PH8… or the best used you can get in that series. I had a similar table and the sound (and transparency) increased dramatically with each PH upgrade. Presto also get great reviews… but I think ARC wins for durability.
Speakers and placement are critical. If you haven’t point them to cross about 18” behind your listeners seat. Then slowly decrease the toe in. The soundstage should slowly expand. You want to go out until just before the central image starts to weaken. |
As @yeti42 said, try the Sumiko Setup. These are the instructions I use: https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?p=979168 You're not going to get it on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd try but don't get discouraged. I have the patience of Mike Tyson losing a boxing match and I was able to stick it out and get it mostly right. You'll try it and not really hear much difference the first few times. Then you'll have an "ah ha" moment. After listening for awhile longer you'll realize it was just an "ah" moment but now you know something is different. A few more tries and you'll get it. Best bass doesn't mean loudest, it means sound pressure; you can feel the difference. At the end the speakers may not be the same distance from the front wall or even the exact same toe in. Some people can't stand this and just give up. That's ok. It's not for everyone. At least you'll get a taste of what you should be looking for regardless of your setup method. My local dealer uses this on all his demos. He doesn't even put marks on the floor. He sets the speakers new up every time. Once you get good, it takes about 15 minutes to get most of the way there. |
Gotta agree with speaker placement too, plus a well recorded/engineered LP. IMO, if the soundstage is within the recording(s), you should be able to reproduce it, and it seems you have the equipment to do so. That said, yes, I think both the cart and phono pre can get the most from any recording, including the stage, but you can’t reproduce what isn’t there. |
- 18 posts total