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Why does it sound better at lower volumes?

Hi, I have a Krell, a Slim Devices Transporter, and Aerial 7B speakers with Zu spekaer and ICs. The thing is this combination sounds fantastic, among the best systems I've ever heard at lower even moderate volume levels. The Krell volume control is incremented from 0-150. Anything less than 50 sounds sounds fantastic across the frequency spectrum. But when I go higher on many pieces the highs take on on a harshness that is like an axe chopping broken glass.

Don't get me wrong - a number of pieces sound great - often classical and even some rock such as Fleetwood Mac sound great. I'm trying to figure out if many of the newer i.e., last 20 years, recordings with compression and boosted highs are the problem. Is my system just too good reproducing the dreck out of studios these days?

I've noticed in the car many of the same recordings sound ok with the background noise competing with the boosted highs. They boosted highs are still there but aren't as annoying due to the road noise and limitations of the car stereo.

I've just purchased a balanced cable - the Transporter has native XLR and it's often said Krell sounds noticeably better with XLR. It hasn't arrived yet.

Secondly, I'm thinking about a power conditioner. The guy at the Cable Co. said my system is just very detailed and probably needs power conditioning. Interestingly he wasn't pushing a cable at all.

I live in a new house but the power source isn't discrete. I can wire a discrete one but don't really want to go to the trouble. I have a discrete source in the crawlspace powering a single bulb down there and one outlet. I'm thinking about running an extension cable from that to my system just to try a discrete run to see if I should go further down that road.

Lastly I'm thinking about changing amps. Again is the Krell too good for my own good? :) I've heard a lot of amps from the big and small names and I like the Krell. It simply sounds fantastic... on probably 20% of my music. But I'm starting to think maybe I don't need that 20% like I need the other 80%. :) Maybe some coloration and rolling off of the highs is better at the end of the day.

I have a Sqeezebox as well and have A-B'ed it against my Rega Apollo. The Apollo was a little better but the SB did pretty well against it. I moved on up to the Transporter but haven't A-B'ed it against the Rega.

I've got to do something here, I guess other than listening at lower volumes. I may try a new integrated, say, a Plinius, MF, or go to tubes. Problem with tubes, my speakers aren't efficient so I'd need to eventually change speakers if I go that route. I have recently heard a Manley Stingray on Spendors and Quads and the sound did have that certain ineffable quality of warmth and a good sound. Also same with an SLI-80 and Theils. OTOH, I've heard my 7Bs sound fantastic on other systems such as Theta.

Any thoughts on this conundrum would appreciated. At 46 years old maybe it's just my ears acting their age.

regards, David
wireless200
spectron
130 posts
 
Atmasphere, Nickword and many others could be right - if your listening room is without acoustic treatment. Regardless of your equipment you MUST use acoustic treatment of your room first- even if you are happy with your sound - in this case you will be much more happier.
All The Best
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I'm trying to figure out if many of the newer i.e., last 20 years, recordings with compression and boosted highs are the problem. Is my system just too good reproducing the dreck out of studios these days?

This could easily be your problem. The other issue could be that you are overdriving your speakers. The room may also be part of it.

If you try Sheffield Labs Drum Track CD then you should be able to crank it. Also George Bensen Weekend in LA "On Broadway" live can be really cranked without any strain. Almost everything you buy has been compressed in one way or another ( especially drums ) - so it is just a matter of limits - certainly a fair portion of modern pop/rock of the last 20 years is often pretty badly compressed and unlistenable at high volumes that you would experience at a concert. When you go to club the DJ will often monkey with an EQ to get a sound that works at loud levels...(usually it requires a cut in the mid range)
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,342 posts
 
when the sound is good at lower to moderate volumes and then the higher the volume the harsher it gets, it is usually caused by one of 2 things: 1) amplifier is not up to the task of driving this particular set of speakers, thus you hear how it struggles in a form of compressed dynamics and harsh high frequencies, or, 2) the room has acoustic issues that need to be addressed.

I would suspect in your case that it is your room acoustics that result in this problem.

Do you have any room treatmens? Anything in corners behind the speakers, up by the ceiling? It could be creating a horn effect when it gets overloaded at higher volumes.

I would hold of on any equipment purchases until the room is fixed.

Take a look ar either the echobusters or eighth nerve acoustic treatments. Compact and effective.
wireless200 OP
415 posts
 
I'm thinking it's the room. Unfortunately WAF prevents much in the way of room treatments. Most I could do is probably something on the wall behind the speakers or some temporary panels I could pull out and set out along the wall when I wanted to listen at louder volumes. I'm consider moving the system to another large room where I have more latitude.

However, in the meantime I've made a few purchases that I'm going to try...
1) Bought a Zu Gede XLR cable. Also thinking about trying Cardas Golden Cross or Gabriel Relevations which both consistently receive good word of mouth.
2) Bought a Furetech TP-609. Additionally I'm going to test a single run back to the breaker box with that as well.
3) Bought a pair of DH Labs rca to bi-wire speaker cables. Just did this on a lark really. Saw them for sale and said what the heck, my speakers are set up with bi-wire anyway.
4) Will experiment more with speaker placement.
5) Might pick up a tube amp and do a direct DAC to amp setup.

I plan to follow up with the results.

p.s. are you all saying you want no audio echo whatsoever say similar to an anechoic chamber?

thanks for all the advice.
regards, David
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,342 posts
 
should not be an anechoic chamber. Overdamping will kill the dynamics and will muffle everything. You don't want that.

Placing narrow panels such as Eighth Nerve Seams in the corners(between ceiling and floor) behind the speakers could do wonders. If you add the Triangles up by the ceiling above the Seams, this will tame the reflections nicely. Place a rug on the floor as well.
Changing cables or amps or any other piece of equipment will not do much, if anything. If the room isn't right, everything else is pretty much a waste. Besides, the better your system gets the more this problem will be obvious.
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