Advice on Equipment Upgrade


I need some help on what is making my system sound a little dull in the midbass snares toms ect. My system is in a 10.5 x 12 ft room open on the long end. I have Dynaudio Contour 3.0's with a REL B2 sub connected to a McIntosh MC352 solid state amp using a Prima Luna ProLogue Three Tube Preamp. My Source is now a Upgraded REGA P3/24 with a Nagaoka MP200 Cartridge MM. I'm using a Tiny Riaa Phono Input that was incuded on the Prima Luna. My Cables are Nordost SPM skr wire and a upgraded cable for the REL by Signal Cable. And 1 unbalanced 1 meter cable from Morrow audio (MA-3). SO my question is Where are the Drums ??? Do I need a Dynavetor cartridge? Is the Primaluna phono the culpret? Should I invest in a quality Phono Preamp and get a low output MC cartridge? I just want my kick back in my system Its too Warm. Note: I was listing to Digital but I really like the Vinyl sound better for the Jazz and Classic rock.I know these speakers and they can sound much better and its not my amp.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Matt
128x128mattmiller

Showing 3 responses by mapman

Assuming you run unbalanced ICs from pre-amp (which does not appear to support balanced connection) to the Mc, the low 20K input impedance of the Mc amp relative to the tube pre-amp output impedance could be an issue leading to softer less dynamic sound overall including mid bass in particular and more distortion. I would want 50-60kohm input impedance on the amp minimum with most tube pre-amps to help assure best results. I'd be willing to bet addressing this would make a noticeable difference.

Getting the sub to blend in well without any negative effects in a small room like that would also be a challenge generally I would think. I would get the sound right without the sub first then see what can be done to add the sub in a manner that is purely positive.

WHat kind of music do you find the sub helps with? THat is a very small room that might make adding a sub in effectively with no ill effects on the mid bass a particularly hard challenge I am thinking. That might help account for the dullness in that range as you describe.
FWIW I run an ARC sp-16 pre-amp with Bel Canto ref1000m monoblocks (1000kohm input impedance, unbalanced).

I was listening to this running my small Dynaudio Contour 1.3mkII monitors for hours last night (did not get much sleep). The sound is a magical combo of low fatigue, high detail, and excellent dynamics in the 12X12 office where they are located. I would strongly consider giving a good Class D Icepower amp designed to mate well with a tube pre-amp like any of the current BCs, or Wyred4Sound (65kohm input impedance ~ as I recall), an audition with any Dynaudio speakers.

These beefed up Icepower amps used with tube pre-amp are hard to beat IMHO. My system is very responsive to changes in ICs as well as a means of tweaking the sound. I like DNM Reson ICs for best overall performance including marvelous vocal detail that enables every word sung to be heard, but I also use less expensive MIT terminator ICs as an option for a less forward sound with more emphasis on the bass. Others would deliver other sonic variations effectively as well I am certain.

Stock Icepower amps are only 10Kohm, not a great match. BC, Wyred and perhaps others that target the high end home audio market add proprietary input stages to enable better performance with most tube pre-amps.
Different ICs might help or make a difference.

I'd recommend DNM Reson ICs for this application. THey are extremely clean and coherent with fantastic transient dynamics in my rig. If they do not help in the areas of concern, then probably no IC alone will.