Tom, I have to agree that it does sound like compression. But with 200 w/ch that doesn't seem like it would be the amp.
Could it perhaps be that you're overplaying the room?
Could it perhaps be that you're overplaying the room?
cartridge, speakers, recording, amp? conjested
I recently bought a ZYX Universe and Salk HT3 speakers
both are very neutral, revealing and tonally accurate
and can be incredible - otherwordly on most music
boths strong points are acoustic music
both are fully broken in - so that's not a factor
jazz is a real treat, folk, windham hill, acoustic rock,(traffic, tull, etc), classical just stunning
the only area I notice an issue is in rock music where things get congested (very dynamic and loud)
then the tonal balance and overall power is deminished
as if things can't keep up
and the bass impact also seems slightly lacking from what I'm familiar with on the recordings (cd version)
(I notice some slight diminishment with cd's I'm familar with (audio aero prima) as well - so the source material (recording and possibly the speakers lack of overemphasis on the midrange may be contributing as well).
I have 4 possible issues
1) one hint it could be the source recording
I've found a few recordings where congested rock sounds stellar
Yes - Close to the Edge and Going for the One (Jap pressings), Tull - SOngs from the Woods, Floyd - Animals
Eno - Before and After Science
so maybe these are recorded right or maybe these are too hot in the mix and hence sound good as congested
Fagen's Morph sounds too bass heavy as if overemphasized
2) table setup - my current Universe on spacearm till new table and arm are setup - I couldn't get the overhang all the way out at max (using Feickert protractor (I'm off a 1/32 short and could be ever so slightly off on zenith angle)
perhaps this is in the range of vta which I haven't figured out totally on a NOTT?
one album - a jap Traffic Barleycorn sounded stellar tracks 1-3 but the inner track sounded muddy in comparison
soon to arrive galibier table and triplanar arm should solve this factor
3) perhaps the higher resolution of the analog and speakers is showing a limitation in my power amp
ARC D200 - 105 watts solid state - although it used to sound dynamic on my old VonScweikerts - but a tad grainy speaker and maybe was overemphasized)
ARC LS% pre and ZYX Artisan phono do not appear to be limiting factors
I was contemplating a MOSCODE 401HR amp as the next upgrade
perhaps the 30 day trial would shed some light
perhaps the speaker / cartridge combo is so revealing it's showing me limitations elsewhere in my system
4) cartridge - is this a limitation of the ZYX?
I know they have incredible channel seperation
do they not overemphasize or hang on to false energy in the mids or is it a limitation of the cartridge design in congested passages
I know I've read a few detractors saying zyx are not strongest on heavier rock material
I'm very satisfied with the sound 95% of the time
but because things are so good over most material I'm perplexed at this apparent short coming
interesed to hear your insights
thanks
Tom
both are very neutral, revealing and tonally accurate
and can be incredible - otherwordly on most music
boths strong points are acoustic music
both are fully broken in - so that's not a factor
jazz is a real treat, folk, windham hill, acoustic rock,(traffic, tull, etc), classical just stunning
the only area I notice an issue is in rock music where things get congested (very dynamic and loud)
then the tonal balance and overall power is deminished
as if things can't keep up
and the bass impact also seems slightly lacking from what I'm familiar with on the recordings (cd version)
(I notice some slight diminishment with cd's I'm familar with (audio aero prima) as well - so the source material (recording and possibly the speakers lack of overemphasis on the midrange may be contributing as well).
I have 4 possible issues
1) one hint it could be the source recording
I've found a few recordings where congested rock sounds stellar
Yes - Close to the Edge and Going for the One (Jap pressings), Tull - SOngs from the Woods, Floyd - Animals
Eno - Before and After Science
so maybe these are recorded right or maybe these are too hot in the mix and hence sound good as congested
Fagen's Morph sounds too bass heavy as if overemphasized
2) table setup - my current Universe on spacearm till new table and arm are setup - I couldn't get the overhang all the way out at max (using Feickert protractor (I'm off a 1/32 short and could be ever so slightly off on zenith angle)
perhaps this is in the range of vta which I haven't figured out totally on a NOTT?
one album - a jap Traffic Barleycorn sounded stellar tracks 1-3 but the inner track sounded muddy in comparison
soon to arrive galibier table and triplanar arm should solve this factor
3) perhaps the higher resolution of the analog and speakers is showing a limitation in my power amp
ARC D200 - 105 watts solid state - although it used to sound dynamic on my old VonScweikerts - but a tad grainy speaker and maybe was overemphasized)
ARC LS% pre and ZYX Artisan phono do not appear to be limiting factors
I was contemplating a MOSCODE 401HR amp as the next upgrade
perhaps the 30 day trial would shed some light
perhaps the speaker / cartridge combo is so revealing it's showing me limitations elsewhere in my system
4) cartridge - is this a limitation of the ZYX?
I know they have incredible channel seperation
do they not overemphasize or hang on to false energy in the mids or is it a limitation of the cartridge design in congested passages
I know I've read a few detractors saying zyx are not strongest on heavier rock material
I'm very satisfied with the sound 95% of the time
but because things are so good over most material I'm perplexed at this apparent short coming
interesed to hear your insights
thanks
Tom