2. digital
  3. 1021234736

want to upgrade music performance in HT syst.

First the system:

Pioneer Elite DVC-36(odvious weak link for music but love video performance and conveniance of 5 discs.)
Krell HTS1
Plinius SA-250mkIV
Aragon 8008x3b
Dynaudio Contour 3.0
Dyn Contour cntr ch
Dyn 1.3mkII
Rel Storm III sub

I'm not getting the performance that I feel I should be getting, for music, from this system. I cannot afford a separate music only system and I know someone will mention getting rid of the HTS. Sorry, but I love the performance I get from this piece overall and I will not let it go. I've looked into getting a dedicated cdp and have rounded up the usual suspects. Budget; Music Hall MMF cd-25, Rega Planet 2000, top of the line Rotel, various Sony sacd players but I'm not interested in multi-ch music formats at all. The more pricier suspects; Rega Jupiter, Accuphase, Electrocompaniet, Wadia, Levinson, ext. The dealer I purchased my Krell HTS from mentioned that the dacs in the HTS are state of the art, so I could run a good transport and have the processor do the upsampling. I'm so confused. I just want to enjoy my music and I know I'm not getting everything I can from my dvd player. I would like to keep the cost down, $750-$1500. I would greatly appreciate any help you guys & gals could give me. I'm running a Goldmond digital cable (RCA to RCA terminated) and I've had my doubts about that purchase. If you have any thoughts on this cable or any ideas for an upgrade I would love to hear from you as well. Thanks in advance for your help.....John
jrwr7
jrwr7 OP
211 posts
 
Hey Mg123,

The disapointing part of my system is the music playback from my DVD player. My 2 ch. main amp (Plinius) is connected to the processor w/Transparent Ultra XL Balanced IC. My L&R front spkrs are connected by Transparent Super XL spkr cables terminated w/spades on both sides. I have my TV, Mitsu WT-46809, DVD player, cable box, processor, VCR and sub, Velodyne FSX-12, all connected to 2 Richard Gray Power Co. 400s. Digital components and 2nd RGPC into the first RGPC and analog components into the 2nd RGPC. I have the first RGPC connected to the wall outlet by a Synergistic Research AC Master Coupler. My 2 amps are connected to a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet, high current version. All of the replaceable power cords have been changed to PS Audio Mini Lab cables. And yes, my system does sound better at 2am then at 7pm. Hope this helps clear things up and makes it easier get some more feedback on my dilemma. Thanks for your post.....John
mg123
192 posts
 
John,

WHAT about your music playback? grainy highs or midrange? no bass or bloated bass? can't turn it up loud? distortion? box y sound?. Although I'm not a fan of Transparent cables, it sounds like you have chosen lots of highend cables and have some power conditioning. When I plugged everything (except power amp) into a PS Audio powerplant, then my system sounded the same during the day or evening as the middle of the night. It makes its own power. But tell us what you don't like... be specific
grandpad
151 posts
 
If you have a friend with a quality DAC who will lend it to you for a test, or a dealer who will lend you one, try it using your dvd as the transport. While you haven't yet described exactly what disappoints you, using the dvd's dac(s) is an obvious weak link. A low risk way of confirming that this is your problem would be to borrow one if you can. Your budget allows you to get a decent DAC if that is indeed the case.
jrwr7 OP
211 posts
 
Hello folks,

Thanks for the responses. It is hard to put my finger on just what it is that's missing. I get, what I feel, is decent bass and the high end is crisp and extended w/out being harsh or tizzy. But I think there is still room for improvement in every area in the music playback. I'm looking for what everybody seems to be looking for. I want to feel the music. I think the soundstage can be better, broader, wider, more detailed and focussed. I've heard it in audio shops and have read about these incredibly deep, wide and three dimensional experiences that people are having w/there systems and I feel I should be able to achieve this w/my system. I truly think that it has something to do w/the lack of performance I'm getting from my DVD player, the digital cable or both. Again I hope this helps shed more light on the answers I'm seeking to aleviate these concerns I have w/the music playback of my system. Pls keep the comments comming. Thanks.....John
kthomas
911 posts
 
Any chance you're located in STL? Your system looks like one that would be put together by one of the local shops here.

It's not clear if you're using the DVD player as a full blown CD player or just as a transport, but definitely don't use it as a CD player. If you are, change to using it just as a transport and feed the digital signal to the HTS. The HTS doesn't have analog pass-thru, so you're going through two conversions you don't need if you're using the DVD player as a CD player into the HTS. Because of that lack of pass-thru, I'm doubting that any CD player purchase will change the performance of your system. If you have one of the HTS2 that do have that feature, then I'd most definitely recommend a good CD player in lieu of a transport into the Krell. I'd recommend a used Arcam FMJ23 or, for a bit more, a Muse Model 9 (regular or Signature). I have a very similar system to yours (same basic speaker setup, similar amplification quality) and recently added the Muse to my great satisfaction.

You don't mention your room - perhaps setup is an issue? Also - run a couple (few?) dedicated 20amp circuits to your setup if you haven't already. -Kirk

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