System assessment...

Thanks elrod,

I've been chasing the warmth of analog over the years. At times, if listening to an album with the right recording and production, I'm really happy with my system. So, I'd like to warm things up. There is nothing more irritating and fatiguing than a bright top end for me. I'm wondering if any elements of my system have an analytical, clinical, detailed sound signiture?

This is a stand alone 2 channel system and I'm always open to used equipment. I tend to bounce back and forth with floor standers and monitors...My last speaker was the Focal 1028 be. Sweet speakers, too big for my 13x25 room. I'm not wealthy, but I'm will to spend a few dollars if it seems like good move.

In that you have good gear, rather than muck with changing the gear, consider applying DSP to tune things to sound the way you want. For example, do a trial Roon subscription and play with the DSP there free during trial and see what happens.

Frankly in this day and age once one has good gear that is well matched and set up well, changing hardware to get a certain sound is often neither cost effective or efficient.

My advice is understand how modern technology solves problems in ways not possible until more recently. DSP is the ultimate sound shaper. You just have to figure out how to apply it properly. I’d be glad to help if by chance you are located in central MD area.

Thanks mapman,

I'm in central Wisconsin with few resources near me. I've been getting close to adding a music server to my system. Perhaps I should make the leap into modern technology with DSP.

A familiar audio reference is a good thing. Go to a piano store - or a rehearsal hall. While someone is playing a grand piano, listen at different distances, 5-50 feet. Then listen to a recent grand piano recording on your system. Determine if the SQ in the ballpark. Tweak from there.

Good point, after all is said and done, we should find ourselves in that recital hall...