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Weak Link

Currently running Rotel RCD971 w/a modded Sugden A48b and Rega Ara speakers on sand filled Target stands (ecosse speaker cables. MIT interconnects)

I realize it is not the most resolving system in the world, but beyond that, there is something that is not quite right about the way in which the music is presented.

of the items listed above, i'm inclined to believing the CD player is the weak link.

As it stands, the sound is ok, however somewhat lifeless. There is a lack of body in the lower midrange and something about the higher registers seems somewhat off as well...Cymbals do not seem to shimmer as they should, for example, sounding somewhat...unnatural? edgy, yet dull at the same time? Difficult to describe.

I'm looking for more midrange/ low midrange presence and detail, silkier highs, yet with good extension and more 'bounce' to get my toes tapping along more readily.

Any thoughts on what my first step should be in terms of component upgrade, assuming only one item can be changed at a time (with relatively lengthy intervals)? As mentioned earlier, I feel a cd player upgrade will help quite a bit, but i'm not certain. I state my uncertainty bc not long ago, i brought my amp to a local store that happened to also have a rotel rcd971. We connected a pair of Monitor Audio GS10's to that setup and they were much more open, clear and punchy than my Rega Aras. Having said that, could it simply be the Ara's are not to my liking? btw - of course, i do realize the Monitor Audio's are far more expensive than my Regas.

Obviously, i'm at a bit of a loss and do not want to make an incorrect decision, as unfortunately, as much as i don't want to admit it, funds are very tight at the moment.

thanks people!
loose
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
So you are saying that in the dealer showroom you listened to your amp and a cd player that was the same model as yours, and they sounded much better. Given that, and given that usually the most significant determinants of overall sound quality and character are the speakers, the room, and the placement of the speakers in the room, it seems pretty clear to me that you should focus on speakers/room/placement.

I'll add that I still have a Rotel RCD-855, ca. 1992, which I suspect is not particularly dissimilar to your RCD-971, and it provides gorgeous sound with well engineered recordings (albeit through far more expensive electronics and speakers).

Regards,
-- Al
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bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
...what Phil said...
You still have a lot of variables between the showroom setup & yours at home, so who can say.
I am also wondering about cabling; did you bring your own or use dealer supplied? And unless it was all the same makes/models, then that's something else you need to question when making comparisons. Also what about AC line conditioning?
Perhaps you should experiment along those lines so your comparisons have better validity.
And while you're at it, try some experimenting with cabling changes as well. Cables ARE components in themselves, and can sometimes greatly affect the sonic signature of any rig. Many listeners tend to overlook this phenomenon because it is not always readily understood, or even acknowledged.
loose OP
239 posts
 
follow-up:

I've tried several types of speaker cable at this point and the ones that work best are the ecosse, which seem to tighten things up and make the higher frequencies more extended.

I also do own a sub, albeit an inexpensive one as well. I've painstakingly set it up so it blends the best that it can (it's an energy ESW-V8).

Further, I'm aware that speakers make the most obvious difference in sound, but there are, as we all know, tons of people who are in the source first camp.

I suspect i'm expecting too much from the ARAs, but at the same time, one of my dealers tells me to 'lose the shitty Rotel source'.

(btw - the Rotel bettered current models from NAD that cost as much now as the rotel did back then... not that I feel NAD is fantastic or anything... I'm simply saying the Rotel still holds its own. Mind you, i've never been 100% happy with the Rotel either, even when I used it in conjunction with an MSB Nelson DAC w/ upconversion, a unison research unico and a variety of speakers ranging from NHT 2.5i's to StudioLab Reference 1s to Neat Mystique IIs).

Ok... to simplify my question: If i were to spend, say, $1500, would it be wiser to invest in a HQ, high resolution CD player that is known for good PRaT? (say, a Naim cd5i mkII) or a similarly priced, more open and more revealing set of speakers?
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
a guess...the speakers
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