Zd542, I have the 1Cs at the proper tilt for my listening position. I downloaded the instructions from Vandersteen's website a while back and I have also turned down the highs as well. They do sound better now than before.
I've always wondered about tubes but was also kind of apprehensive about going in the direction. Maybe now is the time. John, I know relatively nothing about tubes or brands. Can you suggest a decent tube preamp with the HT bypass?
Thank you both for your suggestions.
Bruce |
Charles, your explanation is probably the closest to what I have always believed a good system should be. I'm 60 now and have always believed that the ultimate goal for an audio system is to reproduce the music as if you were sitting in the room when it was being recorded. So to now find out that most audio nuts are really trying to distort that realism, as John says, is deflating. LOL I'll live. I understand both of your explanations but Charles's is closer to what I'm looking for. I also realize it's not an easy feat, thus this thread. So far I have found that exaggerated upper midrange/treble sound which John speaks of. I'm looking for what Charles describes. Marqmike hits on it as well. No exaggerated treble, no bloated bass, but all natural like the full sound of a good acoustic guitar when all strings are strummed at once. Forte heh? Belles? I've read many good things about Belles and Forte has been around for a long time has it not Charles? I think we're heading in the right direction guys.
As for my room, it's very open. My listening area is what I believe use to be the dining room, it sits between an open living room to my left and my master bedroom and sunroom to my right. All very open. Carpet on the floor couch, loveseat to my left. I sit in a recliner in the area that is about 22' x 15' with the sides very open. I'm sitting about 15' from my system, 52" LCD TV high up on far wall. I hope this all helps. I will be using the arcam for a preamp, or did you already figure that out? lol
Any additional suggestions are still welcomed. And I thank all of you who have already written a reply. It's all good!
If this made no sense, it's only because it was a long day and I'm bushed! lol I almost forgot, I also have a REL T3 sub that is part of the system.
Bruce |
John, Charles,
I think you're both correct with your conclusions. Either I go strictly 2 channel for music or Charles suggestion of using a tube preamp. Since music is more critical of components. I'm not sure I have the cash for a different preamp and amp. I do have several pairs of speakers, LOL so that is not a concern. John are you also suggesting tubes?
Charles, How would I hook a tube preamp to my AVR300 receiver and keep both music and movie audio? Now I have to check to see if the Arcam has inputs to the amp section only. :)
Wtf, I have checked out Odyssey here on agon, haven't found a Stratos as yet. But I'm keeping it in mind. Simao, I didn't know LSA made amps, I thought they only made speakers. thanks for the tip. |
Thank you John for the suggestions, I'll do some research to see what works best for me. As for the "shy" comment, my friends would have a good laugh at that one. :)
Thanks to everyone who contributed, I truly respect and appreciate your knowledge and wisdom of the audio world. |
Hi Mark,
Thank you for the recommendations. Yes, I currently have an Arcam AVR300, 7 channels, 100w per/chan. Two of the channels can be switched to the front mains for bi-amping purposes. With all the other suggestions, I am giving thought to tubes but as many have said, I should really go all the way and get a tube preamp and amp. I can't really afford both at this time. So I the question I'm asking myself is, Tube preamp or a SS amp for the current two front channels. I'm up in the air.
Bruce |
Jtcf, yes, I'm sure CJ tubes are excellant and from what I've seen here on Agon, expensive. My 1,000 budget won't do unless a heck of a sale pops up. I check everyday. I'm also wondering, there is no "amp in" input on my Arcam. I would have to plug the preamp into the cd input which is "stereo direct". Is this going to affect the sound guality of the preamp? Anyone?
Bruce |
Any thoughts on the Conrad Johnson Classic tube preamp? There is on here on Agon in my price range. |
John, I'm sorry if I'm seeming a bit dense, are you saying to use the "tape out" on the CJ Classic and use the "tape in" monitor on the Arcam which is also "stereo direct"? I'm just trying to understand this whole HT bypass configuration.
Thanks,
Bruce |
OK, after inspecting the backside of the CJ Classic tube preamp, it has "pre out" which I should have figured. So I could connect that to the tape in on my Arcam, correct? I know, I'm a little slow on the uptake. :) I can then connect the two channel stereo outputs from my Oppo, my Sony HD FM tuner, even my Dish receiver's two channel outputs. Hmmmm, this could work out nicely. If I like what I hear from the CJ Classis, I'll consider a tube amp down the road. Once again, thanks to all who contributed.
Bruce the slow :) |
John,
Based on your recommendations, using the tape out on the preamp to the tape in on my Arcam will achieve the same affect as a HT bypass. The only time I would turn the preamp on would be to listen to 2 channel sources i.e. FM Tuner, Oppo CD and possibly the DISH reciever for music channels.
All HT sources have digital outputs which will never need the Preamp.
By George I think I've got it! LOL So the CJ Classic is the Ticket!
Once again, thank you one and all. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year.
Bruce |
John,
What makes you think that using the tape output to tape input work? I mean, it makes sense. I'm currently using the "tape in" on the Arcam for the input of my Sony HD FM tuner. It works great and allows "stereo direct". It sounds pretty good to me. My DVD/CD player is an Oppo bdp83. I use the digital output for 5.1 and a separate two channel output for stereo music. The best of both worlds. :)
Bruce |
Hi Mark,
Yes, if I go this route, I would be wiring 2 channel into the preamp and all digital sources would connect to the digital inputs on the receiver via fiber cables. But the preamp would have to possess a "tape monitor" out which the CJ Classic does not. From what is on agon at this moment, it would have to cost much more than my budget. I was hoping to keep it at $1,000.
Your suggestion about a tube amp is what I was thinking about last night. It would make life so much easier and hopefully cheaper. :)
Any suggestions on a decent tube amp under a grand? Used of course.
Thanks,
Bruce |
Runnin,
Thanks for the input. I was running AQ type 4 from the beginning, when I first purchased my Arcam back in 2006. I used them up until about 5 months ago when I changed over to Canare 4s11. They seem a bit more mellow than the AQ.
I really think that going to tubes is the next logical move, whether it be a tube preamp or tube amp is still up in the air. Which is where I started. :) Has anyone heard or had any experience with Cary Rocket 88 amp? It's within my price point. |
Thanks Mark, I'll keep an eye out. Atmassphere, your explanation was amazing. Made total sense. Is it safe to assume that you are some type of audio engineer?
As my Mama use to say, "Try to learn something new every day" well I certainly did today. Thank you!
Bruce |
Hello all,
Sorry for the delay with my reply. Had surgery on Friday and it took a couple of days to recoop.
I would like to try the "tube amp" approach for my 2 channel listening. Mark had a recommendation of a Musical Reference RM-10 and from what I've read about it, it sounds like a pretty nice amp but I think, as he said, it may take a very long time before one shows up here for sale. And the odds are it won't be $1,000 or lower. Would you please list your top 3 tube amps that might sell for under $1,000. If it's a quality amp then I'm sure this will be a used price. It would now become a "belated" Christmas present to myself. :)
Bruce |
Thank you Atmasphere, I'm doing better as each day passes. :) |
Wishing all Audio-Goners a very Happy, Prosperous New Year!
Bruce |
