Ever Been Too High?


I recently bought a used pair of Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 speakers after reading so many positive comments about them on the web. All of my amps are SS, but range in age from the 1970s to the 2000s, so I figured at least one of them would be a good match for the Sierras. After hooking them up in three different 2-channel systems, I began to think that these were not speakers I could ever tolerate - the top end was just too hot for my tastes. Finally, I tried them in my third-tier HT setup, and even there, the highs were too prominent. To my ears, the sound was somewhat 'etched' and listener fatigue set in fairly quickly.This morning, I reached the option of last resort and decided to hook them up to the Sansui 5000X in my bedroom system.Holy cow! New life was breathed into this 50-year old receiver and even FM sounds fantastic. The Sierras sound much more balanced, and the bass is to die for. The 5000X was designed and built before LSI chips were developed, meaning there are a ton of transistors, diodes, and other electrolytics occupying its innards. I think that's what accounts for a large part of that 'vintage sound' you get with older gear, and it can be a good thing sometimes. It's certainly working in this case.So, my question is, has anyone else tried the Sierra 1s and had this same issue with them, or am I odd man out? Or maybe there were other speakers you felt that way about, but refused to give up and finally found what seemed to be a godsend of a solution to your listening dilemma?
discnik

Showing 2 responses by rar1

I owned the Sierra Ones for a number of years.  I used them in a CD based system (XTZ Divine 100) and a Prima Luna PL2 integrated amp (tubes).  The top end was never what I would typify as 'hot' sounding.

So a question ... how do you have the speakers set-up in your bedroom system?  On stands?  On a dresser?  

What I learned was that the Sierras did best in small to medium sized rooms (10 x 15 x 8.5).   I thought they were some of the best speakers that I had ever owned when used that way.  I decided to move them to my main system in a 23 x 15 x 8.5 room, using the stands that Ascend sells and by doing so I essentially turned the Sierras into floor standers.  Bad move.  The Sierras were lost in the room.  Sounded like crap.  Go figure.  Similar source components ... a Prima Luna PL5 power amp with a Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24.    

Rich
Ozzy might be on to something ... tubes.  That is how I used the Sierras. Your vintage Sansui may be what was missing.  Something less 'modern' sounding.  Your other components sound like perfectly good stuff, certainly nothing shabby there.  

It certainly is a go figure.  I don't think it is a cabling or room treatments effect.  Your initial reaction was too visceral for that.

As I approach my mid-60's and settle in what will be my keeper components for the foreseeable future, I seem to have chosen the speaker sound I prefer.  In the Prima Luna/ Musical Fidelity main system, I have been using Zu Audio Dirty Weekenders for the last 3 years and absolutely love them.  In the Rogue Sphinx/ Naim system, I have GoldenEar BRX's, which I am very pleased with.  The Naim has taught me the pay-off of burn-in.  Technics turntables in both systems.  I do tinker with cartridges, but I am inclined to think the answer is with a better record cleaning system.  

No shame in trying to get a speaker to work out for you.  I did the same with a pair of Omega CAM's that I just could not ultimately live with, but gave up after 2 years.  Same with a Croft Integrated.  I am learning to leave well enough alone.  Though, MC does have me thinking about Raven tube amps.

Rich