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HELP: how to compensate too laid-back source

Recently I have upgraded my NAD C541i to Marantz 8400. In spite of the fact that it's not broken-in at all yet, I was amazed by added liquidity and musicality, especially on string quartets and symphonic orchestras. Piano, guitar are also sound so good that it causes me to close eyes and relax (never felt such a thing with NAD). And, the BASS. Comparing to Marantz, NAD didn't have it at all.
On the other hand, sometimes it (ex: Reveries from Reference Recordings) sounds too laid back; and percussions on my world music don't sound as natural as they did on NAD.
I don't want to give it up and go back since Marantz, in overall, sounds richer, and couses me to listen to a music, not a sound, but... Can proper interconnects compensate its laid-back sound, make it some closer?

System
~~~~~~
Source: Marantz 8400 (new animal in my stable)
Interconnects: yet old Moster $30 ones (haven't determinated what to replace it with)
Amp: Moon i-5 (fast and neutral or a little on a bright side)
Speaker cable: AZ Satori (love 'em)
Speakers: Revel M20 (fast and neutral or a little on a bright side)
dmitrydr
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Make sure your CD player is not on a maple shelf, or sorbothane, as this will mellow it out. Points/Rollers will add detail but might make it thin depending on the type used.

Try some other interconnects the Monster is your weak link, but might not provide the fix you want.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
If you like the Acoustic Zen speaker cables, You may want to try their line of interconnects.

Dave
slappy
903 posts
 
Replace Laid back source with "Lean Forward Source"
jcaudio's avatar
jcaudio
237 posts
 
I would try swaping out your interconnects. Might even try some with silver in them. That seems to be a glaring weak point.
wellfed's avatar
wellfed
690 posts
 
Marigo dots on the walls will provide more dynamics and detail if you think these are things you are in need of. I went from a NAD 514 to a Marantz SA-14 and I know exactly how you feel, I think. I loved the tonality of the 514, but resolution was lacking. The SA-14 had greater resolution and smoothness, but lacked the wonderful tonal balance of the NAD. Interconnects are an obvious place to start as well, XLO might be a good place to look.
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