Am I imagining things?


Not long ago I have bought replacement amp for my Musical Fidelity A300, honestly I can say that sound is much more liquid, music scene in now more square then trapezoid, everything is more in focus. I can listen much longer. Dynamics, bass does not changed a bit, at least I cannot hear it, maybe microdynamic because noisefloor is much lower. (I still using part of MF A300 as pre). But something is wrong, picture imbued by MF A300 was not so focused, clean but more live (maybe only brighter), picture imbued by Clayton M100 is like very sharp watercolor (pale colors).
I wanted something closer to lively tube presentation I went opposite way :(.
I have done interesting experiment yesterday, I have change direction of interconnect between pre and amp.
What is interesting I have impression that when direction is wrong (current flows not according but against arrow on the interconnect) sound is more live. Am I imagining things?
Rest of the equipment is Thiel 3.6 and old cdp Arcam Alpha 6.
sorlowski

Showing 1 response by sorlowski

Newbee,
You right I should have bought tube amp, but I was worrying about reliability, maintenance costs (retubing). It would have to be pretty efficient, high wattage tube amp to drive Tiels. So there would be a lot of additional hitting in my apartment. (American climate is enough hot to me, I detest hot, like moderate/cold) so even I like tube sound I figured that SS amp + tube pre would be safe way to go. And judging by sound of MF I would not have been expecting that better more expensive well regarded SS could be murky. Though have to say that bright recordings now sounds perfect. Maybe bright detailed cables would save me ?

Rlxl,
Good to know that another people are hearing thinks too:)
I will look at this issue.

Clueless,
Trapezoid music in not that bad, cheaper amp tend to sound triangular or even 2D, do not be afraid of focus it is good thing :) unless you are listening to scary music ?

Thanks everybody for interest and input and advises.