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Help mismatch maybe?

Hello folks,

I recently purchased a pair of Quad 21L2's here on Agon. I tried them with some older Adcom electronics, which were uninvolving. Having read alot of good things about Nad products, and since they were in my price range, I purchased a C372 Intergraded amp here on Agon. The sound of the Nad and Quads are very detailed which I like more then less. Although, I would like the sound to be a little fuller & organic in the midrange. As it stands right now, the system sounds as though the treble control is almost maxed and the bass control is half way on the minus side. (I am in tone defeat mode).
My wife who is also my listening buddy, finds the setup too bright for her ears, and she is unable to listen with me now, unless the volume is very low. Our listening tastes in music range from Classical, to Classic Rock to Jazz, to Female/Male vocals, and everything in between.

Our front end consist of a Arcam FMJ CD23. IC's are of the Monster, and Z squared varity. PC's are PS and Z squared types. SC's Monster M2's Speakers are on the long wall in a Near Field configuration far away from the side walls and at least 3 feet from the rear. I have tried various placement scenario's and the NF seems to be the best overall.

Now, Is it possible That the Nad and the Quads are a mismatch?
If so, I would like to keep the Quads. If it's the electronics, I would like to stay with a Intergrated amp.
Are there any simular experiences, or recommendations you could offer?

Any help along these lines would be appreciated.
Thanks.
mickey13
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I think changing wire can help a great deal. You can certainly tame a harsh top end with good wire and warm up the bass too.

FWIW componet matching is nearly everything in this hobby,
of course speaker placement and room treatment is critical too

have you cancelled the first reflection point areas?
Post removed 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
Make sure speakers are not out of phase (+ to + and - to - on both sides is correct).

If so and still a major bass problem, I'd say its probably the room + add a sub maybe if you are sure the NAD is in good operating condition. Try the combo in a smaller room maybe to make sure everything is working as it should before changing out anything though.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Mapman's suggestion of trying the system in a smaller room is a good one. I've owned the NAD C-352 and did not find it bright.
A good sub properly set up sounds like the ticket.
mickey13 OP
24 posts
 
Thanks to all the responses so far. For Mapman, I did check the polarity and every thing is good. Imaging is good vocals front and center. Just too bright. In the openion pole, it's starting to sound like I need a Sub down the line. For now I just need to tame the brightness so my wife can enjoy the music at a reasonable level. Also, trying in another room is impossible and I don't have a basement. Our listening room is also the living room if that matters. A fellow Agoner e-mailed and suggested to go to Home Depot and get some orange and black 14ga extension cord. That sounds like least expensive place to start. I have to go there anyway this weekend. So, I'll see what happens?
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