Posted twice:
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 haven't listened to your speakers but they may not be the best for soundstage. If I was in your shoes, I'd consider that. Try to borrow some more conventional 3 way speakers with an exceptional midrange. Midrange is where the soundstage exists. Not sure how horns affect soundstage. Some others with horn speakers may chime in but I would wonder if the horn design is affecting soundstage. Agree with speaker placement. Also, for soundstage, I think your best results come with the minimalist approach. The less times the signal is touched by the system the better your soundstage will be. Pass is a good amp but ss amps always do a lot more to the signal. Jerry |
@hysteve , getting a system (room included) to image correctly is very difficult given the equipment most people have. Most of the electronics, cartridges and even speakers are capable of doing this at a reasonable even surprising level but the system needs to be calibrated to the room it is in and any other errors corrected. For a proper stereo image symmetry is the most important factor. The performance of both channels (room included) needs to be identical in phase and frequency response. Early reflections have to be absorbed or speakers need to be directional to prevent them entirely. It is not important that the frequency response overall be flat but if the treble is up 3 dB in one speaker it has to be 3 dB up in he other. The channels need to be matched as closely as possible to prevent smearing the image to one side or the other certainly within 1 dB 100Hz to 12 kHz. Digital signal processing is the only way to achieve this. You can get within 5 dB with room treatment if you know what you are doing. To know what you are doing you need a measurement microphone. Digital room correction preamplifiers will do it for you. The Anthem STR is in your price range. DEQX is releasing new units in about three months. They look great but the prices are not yet available. Trinnov currently makes the best unit but it is $11,000. Some people will never experience a system with SOTA imaging because they are digital phobic. But, you seem to be fine with it. The only thing I would change in your system other than getting a Digital Room Control preamp is, get rid of the unipivot tonearm on the VPI. It is a terrible arm. Get an arm with proper bearings. VPI makes one now that is an easy exchange. |
Imagine if clubs and concert halls and all the other assorted auditoria in which music is performed were subject to the electronic constraints that Mijostyn prefers to apply in his home system. Would it add to enjoyment of the music? Would we even like it? I am not posing this question to criticize Mijo; it's just food for thought. |
- 18 posts total