2. home-theater
  3. 1036905550

How to improve 2-channel performance in HT rig?

Hi all . . ..

I just "finished" upgrading my HT system, and I'm pretty happy with the way it sounds for movies. However, a funny thing happened during the upgrade -- my 2-channel performance actually became good enough to be enjoyable. I had planned on using the system for purely home theater, and using my headphone system (ASL MG Head OTL, Music Hall CD-25, and Senn 600's) to listen to music. However, I find that I now enjoy the home theater system more than the headphone system, so now the inevitable "I want to enjoy it MORE" kicks in, so . . . .

Sony DVPS-9000ES DVD/CD/SACD
Lexicon DC-1 pre/pro
Rotel RB981 (130w x 2)
NHT 2.3A floorstanders
NHT SW2P subwoofer/amp combo
Signal Cable Analog One interconnects
Signal Cable Speaker Cable
Monster Cable HTS-2500 MKII power conditioner (Rotel is plugged directly into the wall, tho)

Plus six other NHT speakers and a Rotel 985 that aren't used for 2-channel playback.

What would be the best next upgrade to make? My suspicion, based on comments I've heard, is that I need to get the Lexicon out of the 2-channel signal path and replace it with a really nice, musical 2-channel preamp with a HT passthrough. But there are other possibilities -- add an outboard DAC, for example, or upgrade the amp driving the main speakers, or upgrade the main speakers, for that matter . . . . Aagggh! ;-0)

Eventually, I'd like to do all those things, but an upgrade of many thousands of dollars starts with a single step, so . . . .

I'm pretty happy with the soundstaging now (speakers are set up about 8' apart with about 3' to the side walls for each, about 4' to the rear wall and about 8' from the listening position, and about a foot out in front of the 51" TV), but I think the imaging could be improved, and I'd really like more richness, liquidity, and body to female vocals (Eva Cassidy, for example). The vocals and instruments have a presence, now, but still sound more "recorded" than "real."

(Of course, they ARE recorded, but what is audiophilia if not tilting at sonic reproduction windmills? ;-0) )

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Pat
tsrart

Showing 7 responses by tsrart

tsrart OP
79 posts
 
Kirk --

Thanks for the suggestions! I've decided to start out by trying to see just how good my DVP9000ES is in terms of Redbook CD playback, so I just ordered a Channel Islands passive preamp -- it's supposed to be EXTREMELY transparent, so it should let me hear everything that's going on with the Rotel and the Sony. And, at $220 new, if it doesn't turn out the way I'd like, it's not a major loss.

I did swap amps, though -- I discovered through a quick test that the Rotel 985MkII sounds MUCH better on 2-channel playback than the RB981 does, even the the 981 is rated at 20 wpc more power. As it turns out, the 985 uses power sharing between its five (100 wpc each) channels, so with only two channels driving it's putting something over 150 wpc into each, with lots of headroom for transients (since the transformer can produce up to 500 wpc). Better soundstage, better bass . . .. heck, better everything.

So we'll see how the gear sounds once I get the Lexicon out of the signal path, and then go from there.

Thanks again for the input!

Pat
tsrart OP
79 posts
 
No, I haven't tried anything like that. Seems like a good idea, though . . . . I ahould cover all the surfaces of the TV, right?

If it works, I'd imagine that a simple four-walled frame could be put together pretty easily, even using something like eggcrate foam, and that could be folded flat when not in use and and then erected around the TV for serious 2-channel listening . . . .

Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a try and report back.

Pat
tsrart OP
79 posts
 
Carlabarla --

I just ordered a 2-channel passive preamp from Channel Islands to replace the Lexicon in the 2-channel signal path -- I'll let you know how that turns out.

You mentioned in your other post, though, that you were using an inexpensive Sony DVD player -- if that's the case, you will definitely want to upgrade that. Of the things I'm trying to "fix" in my system, brightness isn't really one of them -- but I'm using the Sony 9000ES, which The Absolute Sound ranked as competitive with any sub-$2000 player for Redbook CD playback.

I've been living with NHTs for a number of years, and they are merciless to inexpensive electronics. When I was using my Pioneer Elite CLD-59 as a CD player, I had to use a tube amp (Jolida SJ-202A) to make NHTs listenable, and even then some CDs still sounded unpleasant.
tsrart OP
79 posts
 
Carlabarla --

Another thought for you . . . . I don't know what the VT2.4s are like, but I know my 2.3As benefitted significantly from being raised up about 8 inches off the floor, so that the tweeters are level with my ears when seated. Doing that improved the soundstage depth, and made vocals recess slightly back into that increased soundstage so that they didn't sound "in your face" any more.
tsrart OP
79 posts
 
The passive pre is supposed to be here on Dec. 2 ((!($*!_$*!$ UPS! TWELVE days from CA to PA?????)

I'll let you know how it works out . . . .

Pat
tsrart OP
79 posts
 
The passive pre is here and installed -- makes a BIG difference. The sound is much more detailed without the Lexicon in the chain, and vocals are a little more rounded with better weight. Bass is about the same, which is good since I was happy with it already.

I highly recommend that anyone looking to improve 2-channel performance in a theater system give it a shot -- the passive even makes integration a snap, since all you have to do is turn it the whole way up and it "disappears," allowing your HT pre/pro to control the volume.
tsrart OP
79 posts
 
Tsmack --

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'm using Signal Cable Analog Two interconnects for the CD playback chain, and I just put a DIY Belden power cord on the 9000ES (for a nice improvement!).

Right now, I'm not convinced that the problems that I'm having are CDP based. A better unit would certainly improve things overall, but my major issue now is with a loss of soundstage and air at moderately higher volumes, and I suspect the cause is either my amp's lack of power or poor synergy with the passive preamp. (I just put up a new post to ask for some opinions on this issue.) So I think a new amp and/or preamp is going to take precedence over the new CDP, although I've been looking at the Njoe Tjoeb 4000 myself . . . .

I also just ordered a pair of Ah!'s LS-Noise Killers from Kevin at Upscale Audio . . . . apparently, they are very popular with owners of NHT speakers, and are supposed to really help cut down on ringing and harshness in the upper frequencies (I imagine by filtering out interference).
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