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Sopra 2 Bass

New member, first post, and newbie in terms of diving into the world of nice things. This world is insane! I've already been spiraling for a few months researching what to buy, AB'ing countless speakers and amps. I now own a McIntosh MA9000 that's driving my new Focal Sopra N2s via Kimber 12VS. My "dilemma" is with the lack of BASS. I demoed the N2s, so I know it's possible, but absent in my home. I have to use the tone controls (this is where you tear me apart) to bump the low end. I do not know if it's my room, lack of bass traps, or equipment, but I'm failing to get down a little lower without tone adjustments. I stream Tidal Masters to my wired Bluesound NODE 2i (optical to the MA9000 dac). My room is 11'x20.5' with a low, 7.5' ceiling. I have tried as many speaker positions as possible with little change. I already know I need to eliminate room echo in the center of the room and have been researching various acoustic treatments. I feel like I'm off to a good start, but now stuck, not totally satisfied. Yes, it's the best I've ever owned and mind-blowing amazing, emotional, etc, but just short of perfect for me. In tracks where I expect a punch, I get an unmoving transition... Can I get "there" with different wire? Should I consider a sub? Why do folks on this site use two subs? Do I need to hire someone to properly sound-treat the room? Is my room a lost cause for what I own? Reaching out because I'm stuck, afraid to waste money chasing dead ends. My budget is thin after the McIntosh and Focals. Any help would be so appreciated! I hope to learn, grow and pay it forward some day. Thank you.
128x128izjjzi
izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi OP
102 posts
 
Per my last post, looks like I should ditch the node 2i and if I upgrade my McIntosh DAC to version 2, what would folks recommend for a streamer to get full resolution? Should I pass on the Mc DAC upgrade ($1k) and go another route? Streaming is currently my only option, but I was hoping not to have to chase DACs for the rest of my life at a premium.

McIntosh owners, have you seen this? Better yet, have you tried it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FApWEUJBnDI

No further updates on my room, other than I'm happy using the 4ohm taps and tone controls (for now). Busy weekend ahead for moving everything out and possibly painting the walls. Fun times!
izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi OP
102 posts
 
@james633 Terrific info. Thank you. Spent another hour this morning toggling between the 8 and 4 and still prefer the 8 at low volumes and the 4 for everything north. My minor tone tweaks remain regardless of the tap I'm using. I watched another crazy demo on YouTube of someone with the MA12000 and the Utopias, who had every tone dial torqued one way or another. It made me cringe, yet I can sympathize. 
audiorusty
268 posts
 

Halfway through the track there was a quick pop from the right speaker.

Once again I agree with James633, this most likely was an over excursion of the woofer due to boosting the low end and the over all volume you were using while playing the track.  Been there and done that,  but I don’t recommend doing it on a regular basis. As long as you are not hearing any distortion form the speaker you did not do any real damage, but you did reach the limits of your system with those particular settings.

If what you were playing was at your desired level of volume and low end thump when you heard the pop, you should probably seriously consider adding subs in the future. I wouldn’t add just any subs either, you will want subs that have plenty of power and least a 12” driver if not larger.

izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi OP
102 posts
 
@audiotroy Definitely not my normal listening volume, but experiencing that power, stage and clarity was something else, including fun! It's something I would like to do again, but now fear. A McIntosh dealer emailed me based on my same description I gave you. He wrote,
It seems there was a digital “glitch” in the recording, and it made the amplifier reach Power Guard and do its job. You said that they were only slightly pulsing, so for that particular track, you were at full power plus of the MA-9000. The Power Guard was doing its job (as it should), and protecting your speakers from clipping distortion. I would not be concerned.
Leaves me wondering what a clip sounds like vs something else...

I would love subs, but I'm now stuck looking for the best streaming option, dumping Tidal for something DSD to work with my Mc's internal DAC, possibly upgrading the DAC to the latest version. I need to nail down a source, the best possible source within my current sore budget. I'm also wondering it I should have been a bit more patient and waited for the MA-12000. In short, I'm in it deep.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,675 posts
 
Interesting about 24/192 mqa. I was told I needed usb to get it, but maybe thats because I use a nucleus.
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