Pat have you tried using any temporary acoustic absorbers over your RPTV? That big reflective surface only a foot behind the plane of your mains has a rather major effect. You might do a simple experiment of covering with thick layers of blankets. Not perfect, but I bet you'll notice an immediate difference. If that helps, you could always make or buy something that could be put in place when doing stereo.
How to improve 2-channel performance in HT rig?
Hi all . . ..
I just "finished" upgrading my HT system, and I'm pretty happy with the way it sounds for movies. However, a funny thing happened during the upgrade -- my 2-channel performance actually became good enough to be enjoyable. I had planned on using the system for purely home theater, and using my headphone system (ASL MG Head OTL, Music Hall CD-25, and Senn 600's) to listen to music. However, I find that I now enjoy the home theater system more than the headphone system, so now the inevitable "I want to enjoy it MORE" kicks in, so . . . .
Sony DVPS-9000ES DVD/CD/SACD
Lexicon DC-1 pre/pro
Rotel RB981 (130w x 2)
NHT 2.3A floorstanders
NHT SW2P subwoofer/amp combo
Signal Cable Analog One interconnects
Signal Cable Speaker Cable
Monster Cable HTS-2500 MKII power conditioner (Rotel is plugged directly into the wall, tho)
Plus six other NHT speakers and a Rotel 985 that aren't used for 2-channel playback.
What would be the best next upgrade to make? My suspicion, based on comments I've heard, is that I need to get the Lexicon out of the 2-channel signal path and replace it with a really nice, musical 2-channel preamp with a HT passthrough. But there are other possibilities -- add an outboard DAC, for example, or upgrade the amp driving the main speakers, or upgrade the main speakers, for that matter . . . . Aagggh! ;-0)
Eventually, I'd like to do all those things, but an upgrade of many thousands of dollars starts with a single step, so . . . .
I'm pretty happy with the soundstaging now (speakers are set up about 8' apart with about 3' to the side walls for each, about 4' to the rear wall and about 8' from the listening position, and about a foot out in front of the 51" TV), but I think the imaging could be improved, and I'd really like more richness, liquidity, and body to female vocals (Eva Cassidy, for example). The vocals and instruments have a presence, now, but still sound more "recorded" than "real."
(Of course, they ARE recorded, but what is audiophilia if not tilting at sonic reproduction windmills? ;-0) )
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
Pat
I just "finished" upgrading my HT system, and I'm pretty happy with the way it sounds for movies. However, a funny thing happened during the upgrade -- my 2-channel performance actually became good enough to be enjoyable. I had planned on using the system for purely home theater, and using my headphone system (ASL MG Head OTL, Music Hall CD-25, and Senn 600's) to listen to music. However, I find that I now enjoy the home theater system more than the headphone system, so now the inevitable "I want to enjoy it MORE" kicks in, so . . . .
Sony DVPS-9000ES DVD/CD/SACD
Lexicon DC-1 pre/pro
Rotel RB981 (130w x 2)
NHT 2.3A floorstanders
NHT SW2P subwoofer/amp combo
Signal Cable Analog One interconnects
Signal Cable Speaker Cable
Monster Cable HTS-2500 MKII power conditioner (Rotel is plugged directly into the wall, tho)
Plus six other NHT speakers and a Rotel 985 that aren't used for 2-channel playback.
What would be the best next upgrade to make? My suspicion, based on comments I've heard, is that I need to get the Lexicon out of the 2-channel signal path and replace it with a really nice, musical 2-channel preamp with a HT passthrough. But there are other possibilities -- add an outboard DAC, for example, or upgrade the amp driving the main speakers, or upgrade the main speakers, for that matter . . . . Aagggh! ;-0)
Eventually, I'd like to do all those things, but an upgrade of many thousands of dollars starts with a single step, so . . . .
I'm pretty happy with the soundstaging now (speakers are set up about 8' apart with about 3' to the side walls for each, about 4' to the rear wall and about 8' from the listening position, and about a foot out in front of the 51" TV), but I think the imaging could be improved, and I'd really like more richness, liquidity, and body to female vocals (Eva Cassidy, for example). The vocals and instruments have a presence, now, but still sound more "recorded" than "real."
(Of course, they ARE recorded, but what is audiophilia if not tilting at sonic reproduction windmills? ;-0) )
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
Pat
- ...
- 13 posts total
- 13 posts total