Confused By A Transport Upgrade


Dear Forum Members:

I just got a used Theta Pearl CD transport on monday. The change in sound from my previous transport[CD player actually] is so dramatic, I don't know what to make of it. In the course of trying to building a nice musical system I've experimented with different speaker cables and interconnects and isolation tweaks, but nothing has made such a dramatic change as adding this transport.

My system is comprised of Sim Audio Moon I-5 integrated, Musical Fidelity E60 CD player, Bel Canto DAC 1.1, Sonus Faber Concertinos and ProAc Tablette Signature 50s. I have added these pieces incrementally starting with the MF E60 three years ago, then the Concertinos a year and a half ago. The Moon I-5 arrived last August. I just received the Bel Canto and the ProAcs last month.

Since the beginning my system has always been on the bright side. In order to combat this characteristic I have experimented with different interconnects and digital cables eventually settling on the relaxing Cardas Golden Cross and L-15. I also upgraded DH Labs Silversonic T14 speaker cables to Analysis Plus Oval Nines. These changes have helped somewhat, but still the occasional nasties remained.

The Theta Pearl is a solid piece of gear using the Pioneer stabile platter mechanism with the CDs inserted label side down. Before hooking it up, I played 3 CDs I'm pretty familiar with through the MF just so I could have a fresh taste of the 'ol transport before getting down to business with my new toy. When I started playing the first CD in the Theta I was shocked at the Jekyll and Hyde difference between the two players. In comparison to my MF E60, the Theta is leagues softer, and fuller in the midrange, almost to the point of sounding muffled. CD after CD I kept thinking to myself that I had lost a ton of detail and information.

Now here's my question. Have I become so accustomed to a thin sounding, overly bright, and falsely detailed system so much so, that a well regarded transport such as the Theta Pearl sounds, dare I say wrong to me? I've been searching for a non-fatiguing system for so long, and now that I have it, I yearn for the lifelike energy that some of my CDs exhibited when played through my $500 MF. While it was often thin and bright sounding, it sometimes created spookily real instrumentation and voices.

I'm now contemplating a reverse change in my interconnects, speaker and digital cables. I have a run of Kimber Illuminations D60, so I'll see what that does. Will it restore some life in my system? Maybe all the Cardas are wrong in this setup. Should I change the AP Oval 9s to Silver Ovals?

What have I done wrong? Help!!
gunbei
Gunbei: Excellent. Sounds like it was just a not so good connection or maybe static. I think that I remember the gun(s) that Greg mentions (seems to me that they had a piece of quartz in them or something like that). I will ask a few oldsters I know if they have one that I can try out.
Good for you, Gunbei! D-K, there *must* be someone selling these "guns" -- radio-shack, maybe? Indeed, they do have something (mine doesn't specify) and crackle when they meet static electricity.
Cheers!
Zerostat 59.95 at Audio Advisor. Don't tweak a system without one (unless you live in a way humid climate)

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=MHZEROSTAT
Thanks for the product name Pls1. I will try to find it elsewhere though as I have decided not to do business with AA in the future.
Whatjd, Interesting comment. I just moved and after the satelite was installed I noticed the system didn't sound quite as good. I kind of chalked it up to " it's a new room, just getting used to it" I also noticed the other day while mowing the lawn that the ground wire for the satelite is tied into the house ground. How can I isolate this? The system runs on 2 dedicated lines, but the ground is common.I definately have to put a meter on it to see if it has d.c. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.