Want More Bass


Got a new Rogue Audio tube amp and preamp. (88 and 66 magnum). Used to have a solid-state integrated that seemed to have more bass output. Now, with my speakers (and these components), I long for deeper bass. (My current speaker's bass response is rated at 50hz.) My previous experience with a tube integrated also seemed light in the bass at lower volumes. I listen more at lower volumes than at higher volumes.

So... what are my options:

1. find a new speaker that goes deeper? if so, what is recommended? Budget $3000 max. Needs to be a slim tower design due to room constraints. (Room is 11x17 and speakers are on the 17' wall. Music preference is mostly indie rock, small group jazz and electronica.)

2. add a sub? the preamp has two outs, so I could use interconnects from the preamp. if so, what is recommended. Budget for a sub would be sub $1500.

3. Other suggestions?

Thanks all for your help.
vertewax

Showing 2 responses by vertewax

Thanks all. I AM fearful of the sub-speaker integration difficulty. My speakers are Linn's and I don't want to spend the $ on the Linn Sizmik sub. I like the REL Strata III sub, but am thinking that a full-range pair of speakers might be a better way to go. (I'd rather not deal with the cabling either.) I really could go either way but which is easier and which is better... I really hate fussing!

Was thinking of the following: Vandersteen 2CE sigs (but they may be too wide physically).

Rogue recommends the Vandersteens. In Montreal last month I heard them and many other good things running on tubes, such as: Verity Audio, Focus Audio, Meadowlark Audio.

I do, however, find it hard to belive that my pre-amp could be at issue... I did a lot of research and never heard about any complaints with the low-end output of the sixty-six.
Thanks again for all the great comments and advice. - - - I repositioned the speakers back closer to the wall and now I have some more bass... at med-high volumes. I still would like more bass at low to med volumes. Is this a tube thing? Now I have the Rogue tube separates... prior to that I had a Redgum solid state integrated (which had bass at all volume levels), prior to that I had a Jolida tube integrated which only had bass at higher levels. So is my issue with no real bass at lower levels a tube thing in general? - - - Sometimes adding a sub (and switching it in at low volumes) makes some sense to me, except that I'd hate to be switching it on/off all the time or adjusting it frequently. The idea of a more full-range speaker that goes lower than my current speakers sounds the best to me right now (and I can sell my current speakers and upgrade, versus forking out addl $ for a sub.) My question then is, if I get a new pair of speakers that go deeper, will I still get less bass at lower volumes? My latest fav speaker after much research (but not audition) is the Meadowlark Kestrel Hot Rod- - - Lastly, I have suspended hardwood floors... is it that the bass frequencies in the room get "excited" only at higher volume levels and create the illusion of more bass? - - - Thanks again for your comments.