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Improvement in Musicality for home theater system

As a first time poster I was hoping to get some feedback on improving the musical delivery, basically more refined sound from my hodgepodge of an old and new system. I have a smaller 16 by 12 room with heavy leather furniture and wood/ area rug, 1904 vintage. Due to the space and budget limitations, I purchased the Revel M126Be’s and had to ditch my 25 year old Proceed AVP for an Antham AVM 70 and had Audio Breakthroughs in Manhassett, NY come out and set it up. They hooked in a 20 year old Velodyne servo driven sub woofer. Now to my question: will replacing a 20 year old plus Adcom 5 channel amp with an Antham or Pass labs be a significant change? For source I mainly use a Blue Sound streamer. 

hondaron
arro222's avatar
arro222
142 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

So if 
"music" you hear thru an audio component begins to make you want to tap your feet, it is considered a "musical component"?

I have heard music at weddings that didn't make me want to do that although the band was considered "musical".

I would think it has more to do with "musical taste" no matter if played thru a $50,000 audio system or a transistor radio.

When a teenager, I guess transistor radios were considered "musical".

Who knew.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 
  1. I would try borrowing better speakers to compare your current speakers against -  using your AVR amp.
  2. And/or/then borrowing a different amp to power your speakers
  3. Alternatively you might be able to drag your speakers to a shop to compare them to other speakers… and that will also let you listen to their electronics through them.

With luck that should give some insight into things… More insightful IMO than just buying various gear… if you abide A/B comparisons.

jonwolfpell
530 posts
 

I did just what Carlsbad described & it’s works well.  I have an Anthem 7 channel receiver & got a good tubed integrated amp & even new better main speakers. Sounds great watching movies ( everything on) or w/ 2 channel music , just mains & integrated amp. I didn’t find using dissimilar speaker brands an issue for movie watching & you can “correct” those differences with the ARC system in the receiver & has no effect on music listening. 

auxinput
2,924 posts
 

I would try borrowing better speakers to compare your current speakers against -  using your AVR amp.

The resolution and transparency of the Revel M126Be speakers that he has completely out-performs his current Adcom amp.  Putting a better speaker in the system is NOT going to improve anything or give him better refined sound.  The Adcom amp is the limiting factor here.

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,434 posts
 

@arro222

 

Typically, one’s foot is a good measure of the musical connection. This is an effect that I noticed in myself and have observed and discussed with many others over many years. Not everyone will necessary be moved the same way. Certainly it depends on the source music as well.… if the music is not compelling it’s reproduction is not. This is my generalization.


Also, some audio folks actually are not in it for the emotional connection / the music itself. I have known a bunch of folks over the years that are in it to experience analytical listening… to marvel at the details and sound space… they are not actually moved by music.

Here is more details on Rhythm, Pace, and Timing:

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/pace-rhythm-dynamics-page-2

 

 

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