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Room correction in high-end system???

OK,lots of praise has been heaped on the Tact and Sigtech RCS systems, including in this months TAS. However, I believe my system is pretty high-end (at least by the "How much does your system retail for?" thread) and do not want to harm the already fine sonic charactersitics. I am generally of the mind that "less is more".

Things that concern me are:
- Putting an A/D and then D/A into my vinyl playback chain.
- Putting a lower quality D/A in place or in addition to my SF Processor 3.
- Replacing my beloved BAT VK-50SE pre with a one box DAC/ADC/RCS/PRE.

If my system were in the sub $40k retail range, I would be running to a room correction system, but am a little sceptical given my current investment. It might even be a little snobbishness. However, if I do like it better with RCS, I'd end up saving a bucket of dough.

Has anyone with a well set-up room and system tried one of these? I'd be expecially curious if Mr. Porter or some of the other vinyl fans have had one of these in their system.

Thanks,
Meta
metaphysics

Showing 2 responses by czapp

czapp's avatar
czapp
126 posts
 
Hi Metaphysics
I have a high end system - Spectral, Accuphase, and Avalon
and I have added a DSP - the Accuphase DG-28.
In answer to your first concern - I don't have a vinyl front end, but I don't think you want to convert an analog signal into digital.But as far as running a D to A you don't have to use the DSP as a D to A. It is just connected between your transport and your D to A. The Accuphase works this way and the Tact is available as a DSP only - digital in and digital out, so this way you keep your DAC and preamp in the system. It makes its adjustments entirely in the digital domain, with absolutely no detectable artifacts.The results can be incredible, depending upon how bad your room is. I am in a very small room, with a system that is probably too big for it, yet with the DSP, the boominess in the bass is gone leaving a tight solid bottom, that I could never get from smaller monitors. The midrange opened up, and all of the resolution reappeared.When I press the button on the remote to bypass the DSP, I am amazed at the difference, and find it hard to believe that I ever thought it sounded good without it.
Good Luck
Carl
czapp's avatar
czapp
126 posts
 
Hey Metaphysics
The thing about a vinyl front end is that you have to run it through the units A to D, and that leaves you at the mercy of the quality of their A to D. It also seems sacreligious to convert a beautiful analog signal from a turntable.
I began this process with room treatments. I have ASC cube traps in the front corners, and ASC sound panels on the side and back walls. The cube traps helped but didn't come close to resolving the bass problems. They also put my wife over the edge, given their size.All of this helped a bit but in combination with the Accuphase, it really all came together.
Robert Greene has been writing about these units in Absolute Sound. The new issue compares the Tact, and the Sigtech, and if you go back a ways, the Accuphase is reviewed as well.
Carl
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