2. pc-audio
  3. 1211617448

Mid life audio crisis

Hi,

As the title says I seem to be going through a mid-life audio crisis and I would like some advice.

Here goes: In recent years I have upgraded, changed and tweaked my system until I have arrived at the following:

* Audio Aero Capitole CDP;
* Joule Electra LA 150MkII preamp;
* Dave Berning ZH-270 amp;
* Merlin VSM speakers;
* Cardas Gold Ref speaker cable & interconnects.

As you will see I have spent quite a few $$$$s on this system and I've been considering changing my ZH-270 for a pair of valve mono blocks over the last few months to help me get some more bottom end slam from my speakers.

Recently I bought a Steve Nugent modified Benchmark DAC1 and started to play digital music from my Mac. I was amazed at the sound quality from this combination and I considered selling my CDP. I have not sold my CDP yet but I suspect it will be only matter of time, as I think the modified DAC1 is better than my CDP and I have burned all my CDs to hard disk and use this more than my CDP.

I have never really got on that well with my Merlin speakers. Now please don't shoot me for saying this, all you Merlin fans, but they don't quite have the 'grunt' and energy that I like, perhaps they are true audiophile and too refined. I love transparency and sounstage, which they do well, but I also love bottom end slam that they don't do that well in my view.

The performance of the DAC1 has started me thinking and looking at 'pro' audio/studio gear and a week ago I got to listen to a tiny pear of active PMC AML1 speakers, that are powered by Byrston amps. This was fed by a Larvy DAC/Mac and nothing else but XLR cables - a real simple system that sounded amazing, but just lacked some bottom end slam, but had lots of transparency!

PMC recommend a sub with their AML1 speakers and I have worked out I could have my DAC1 > Bryston crossover to sort out the sub and active monitors. A really simple system that will probably halt me upgrading.

So what do I do? Keep my current system or go the active monitor + sub and DAC fed by a Mac.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Monty
montywoo

Showing 10 responses by montywoo

montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Shadorne,

I love dynamics and energy and I value hearing exactly what is on a disk. This has its drawbacks, in that quite a few of my disks sound real bad through the Benchmark.

PMC recommend their SB100 that features the PMC 10" flat carbon fibre & Nomex™ piston driver in a heavily braced and damped cabinet with an effective line length of 2.8m (9ft). The combination of piston driver and PMC’s ATL™ transmission line technology gives the SB100 its outstanding detailed response down to 25Hz with a peak SPL of >116dB

Features
• PMC ATL™ (Advanced Transmission Line) with 2 sections
• PMC 10” / 250mm carbon fibre & Nomex™ piston driver
• 3” Edge wound voice coil
• Matching response for use with AML1, IB1 or IB2 models
• Phenomenal bass response down to 25Hz
• Shallow cabinet – 350mm (13.78”)
• Specifiable 4mm sockets or Neutrik NL4™ input
• Recommended amp power up to 250W
• Activation option with Bryston PowerPac 300™ (SB100-A)

They also recommend using the PowerPac.

Oh and don't mention 'hogs' :-)

Ghasley,

Welcome to the dark side - well thank you ;-) I was pleased to read your views on using the Benchmark with the AML1. I will take your advice on trying the speakers in my room before spending more $$ on a cross over, sub and amp.

Also great point about the CDP.

Tweak1,

Thanks - it is an option to keep what I have plus add a sub, but I think I need to scratch my active PMC itch.

Monty
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Hi,

I have decided to arrange a home demo of the PMC AML1 active speakers along with PMCs SB100 sub powered by a Bryston PowerPack 300 and using a Bryston cross over.

I hope this set-up sounds as good as it should.

I will feed back my findings.

Monty
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
I have a pair of PMC AML1 set up in my room. Amazing sound from these speakers - they appear to defy the laws of physics. The bass is fast and quite deep, but it is the transparency where these speakers excel.

There is no need for a sub in my room!

All I need to do now is decide if I can live with a system that may not need upgrading!

Monty
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
James,

You are so right - the DAC1 unmodified can sound lean, but in my view it sounds 'honest' - it adds and takes nothing away from the source/sound. I had my DAC1 modified by Empirical Audio - Steve Nugent and it is streets ahead of the unmodified DAC1 (in my opinion) and out performs almost every CDP I have played.

The PMC AML1 would also be classed as very detailed by some, but I describe it as once again 'honest'. With a well mastered recording they excel, but with a poorly mastered one it just conveys how rubbish some music can sound.

After living with the demo pair of PMCs I am not 100% sure they better my Merlins. Both speakers have similar attributes. The only way I can describe how I feel about them both is: PMC hits you hard and fast and makes you sit up and listen. Merlin do everything just right and you can listen hour upon hour upon hour and love every minute.

Monty
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Ahhhh Shadorne.... Tower of Power Soul Vaccination is one of my all time favs' and you are right it does sound as if you are right in there!

As funk trumpet player myself I really appreciate Tower of Power - Amazing through these PMCs!

You are right the PMCs put you front row at the venue.

I have some serious thinking to do over what I do next with my system, but it looks like the idea of active PMCs, a DAC and a Mac is a simple yet amazing solution!

MontyW
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Hi,

Just to through a curve ball into the Benchmark DAC1/PMC AML1 active speaker combo - today is the last day I have the PMCs before they are returned and I had a friend of a friend drop buy with a Manley 2 channel passive EQ.

I know this is probably heresy with fellow audiophiles, but if you need a 'touch' more bass, then try hooking up your DAC1 to the EQ and then to the PMCs - you can get some amazing results.

MontyW
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
I have no idea how the modified DAC1 compares to the Cosecant DAC v3 - I have no intention of changing my Empirical Audio DAC1 - it really that good in my opinion!
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Okay - close your eyes all you hard core audiophiles... I have finally done what I set out to do and that is to simplify my hi-fi and use a Mac/DAC1 as a source.

Gone are the Merlins, Joule, Berning, Audio Aero and Cardas and now my system consists of a Mac/DAC1/Drobo/PMC AML1/Zaolla cables and some room treatments.

A couple of things I have learned on this journey - a Steve Nugent modified DAC1 can sound truly amazing, small active speakers can convey emotion, presence and stature, and room treatments make such a large difference. Oh and the probably the most contentious is that I have found I only need to spend a fraction of the money on cables to get great results.

Equally as important is the pro audio forum communities welcome us and offer great advice - don't be afraid to ask dumb ass questions, but be prepared to learn almost a whole new language :-) and be prepared to walk into a pro audio store and be dazed and confused by the array of all the kit.

For any out there who are hesitating in making this type of change, as I was, have a go you won't be disappointed.

All the best,

Monty
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Hey Shadorne - thanks for the message. I've never been happier with my system!

I'm taking time to listen to music, just sitting back and enjoying the tunes, without worrying about tweaking etc...

And with the cash I've made I'm buying more and more music.

All the best,

Monty
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Yeah - my only regret is that I have lost a little cash - but hey life is tooooo short to get stressed over that!

Monty
More to discover