2. tech-talk
  3. 972610886

Why does it sound less dynamic?

It has been a great puzzle to me. I have upgraded my whole chain from a SFL-2 with a PA-7 STASIS amp from Nakamichi connected to some PBJs, three Racing cones connected to a pair of Gershman X-1s, and SW-1 companion woofers and some old japanese digital front end (CHEAP*) and switched the power cord to Synergistic Master Couplers and the set up sounded explosively dynamic etc . . . .and since then, I switched to Sonic Frontiers Power 2, and added the BEL CANTO DAC-1, to my Panasonic DVD player, which was wired with Synergistic Research Alpha Sterlings and the whole set up sounds worser than before. The soundstage is less dynamic, the inmediacy is gone and overall, I feel a lot less excited by the results. I would say that somehow the digital sound sounds a little more artificial and annoying than before. What is wrong? Is the amp slow sounding? Is the digital front end bad? What caused this problems? I need help with this connondrum
bemopti123
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Bemoptil23; The SFL-2 is the best pre-amp SF ever made IMO. I auditioned one for a week, but didn't keep it because of excess transformer hum. I liked it's sound even better than the Line 3 (I use a Line 2 though). I just suggest not using your Creek volume control temporarily, ie until you work out other music quality issues, then add it back in later on-- but I'd sure want to try your system with just a simple pair of ICs between pre-amp and amp w/o the complexity of the vol. control. Sounds like you're on the right track. Cheers. Craig.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
......re: AC power supply. Later on if you feel your power supply is not good, you could add a PS Audio P300 at least to your source components and pre-amp. They have a 30 day try out policy. I do have a dedicated AC system and ground, but still plan to try the P300. Craig.
bemopti123 OP
303 posts
 
Hi, I have the SFL-2 and thought about the transformer hum. When I first got it, it did hum and I did notice it, but after it has had the opportunity of warming it up, it is dead quiet. Now I do not even notice it, because I leave it on "standby" mode and it has not hummed ever since. I will try the suggestion with the volume box from Creek. I am waiting to get a pair of ICs, SONIC HORIZON cables as advertised on HCM store. Perhaps, their cables will aliviate and give me the sound that I am searching for....I still suspect that the Kimber PBJ are the major culprits. Thanks once again!
More to discover