Mid life audio crisis


Hi,

As the title says I seem to be going through a mid-life audio crisis and I would like some advice.

Here goes: In recent years I have upgraded, changed and tweaked my system until I have arrived at the following:

* Audio Aero Capitole CDP;
* Joule Electra LA 150MkII preamp;
* Dave Berning ZH-270 amp;
* Merlin VSM speakers;
* Cardas Gold Ref speaker cable & interconnects.

As you will see I have spent quite a few $$$$s on this system and I've been considering changing my ZH-270 for a pair of valve mono blocks over the last few months to help me get some more bottom end slam from my speakers.

Recently I bought a Steve Nugent modified Benchmark DAC1 and started to play digital music from my Mac. I was amazed at the sound quality from this combination and I considered selling my CDP. I have not sold my CDP yet but I suspect it will be only matter of time, as I think the modified DAC1 is better than my CDP and I have burned all my CDs to hard disk and use this more than my CDP.

I have never really got on that well with my Merlin speakers. Now please don't shoot me for saying this, all you Merlin fans, but they don't quite have the 'grunt' and energy that I like, perhaps they are true audiophile and too refined. I love transparency and sounstage, which they do well, but I also love bottom end slam that they don't do that well in my view.

The performance of the DAC1 has started me thinking and looking at 'pro' audio/studio gear and a week ago I got to listen to a tiny pear of active PMC AML1 speakers, that are powered by Byrston amps. This was fed by a Larvy DAC/Mac and nothing else but XLR cables - a real simple system that sounded amazing, but just lacked some bottom end slam, but had lots of transparency!

PMC recommend a sub with their AML1 speakers and I have worked out I could have my DAC1 > Bryston crossover to sort out the sub and active monitors. A really simple system that will probably halt me upgrading.

So what do I do? Keep my current system or go the active monitor + sub and DAC fed by a Mac.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Monty
montywoo
Given the TL design of the PMC's it may be wise to stick with their sub. The PMC AML1 are tuned at 5.5 feet TL length which does not match the subwoofer at 9 feet TL length. I am not sure what that does to the phase when you combine two. (bass extension enhanced speakers are generally a bit harder to combine with a sub) Since they are active it is possible that they simply compensate electronically for phase to get a perfect seamless match. Ask your dealer - PMC have an outstanding reputation.
Oh - and just one thing - pro-speakers are often viewed as "harsh sounding" and "non-musical" or simply analytical or worse as "PA sound" by many audiophiles.. Certainly with modern pop recordings (many are terribly compressed) these type speakers will make you suffer at high volumes with such ugly source material - so there is a valid reason for wanting a speaker with the usual BBC-Dip - being the ticket to a generally more consistently pleasant sound. However, I would say PMC's are not as forward sounding as some pro designs - so if you are worried about longterm listening enjoyment in making the move from audiophile to pro then PMC is probably a good choice.
Do yourself a favor and go to the PMC dealer and listen to the OB1i with
Power Pac 300s if possible.
Hi,

I have decided to arrange a home demo of the PMC AML1 active speakers along with PMCs SB100 sub powered by a Bryston PowerPack 300 and using a Bryston cross over.

I hope this set-up sounds as good as it should.

I will feed back my findings.

Monty
I have a pair of PMC AML1 set up in my room. Amazing sound from these speakers - they appear to defy the laws of physics. The bass is fast and quite deep, but it is the transparency where these speakers excel.

There is no need for a sub in my room!

All I need to do now is decide if I can live with a system that may not need upgrading!

Monty