Hello jiii 12. You have good gear. I think you may have a problem that can be solved by changing/upgrading cables. Here's a cheap and easy experiment: Get some ordinary 14 gauge zip cord (lamp cord) from a local hardware store. Get enough for two speaker cables. You are going to replace you speaker cables with the zip cord. Don't worry about banana plugs or spades. Just strip 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch of wire from both ends, twist the strands together, and stick 'em in the holes in the amp/speaker terminals. Tighten down on them. If you hear a difference, cables will solve your problem. All you are listening for is a difference. The lamp cord should sound worse. If it sounds better, you have solved the problem. If it sounds worse, you know your system is sensitive to cables (it should be). Now you enter the exciting search to find the RIGHT cable. See if dealers will loan you test cables to try out. You can purchase used cables on line. Don't spend more than you need to. Used cables are probably 'broken in,' but maybe not. Don't make any final decisions until the cables have been played at least 50 hours or so. Start with speaker cables, then move on to interconnects if you still seek improved sound. USB cables are very important. Is that how you streaming music reaches you? Does the problem occur only when streaming? How do LPs sound? If LPs soound better, change the USB cable, if present. Got the idea? Happy Listening!
WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
My system consists of the following
Integrated Amp. - Hegel H160
Speakers – Fritz Carbon 7
Dac – Denafrips Venus II
Server- Innous Zenith MK3
Turntable – Rega RP8
Cartridge- Hana ML
Phono Pre – Icon Audio PS1 MKII
Power Conditioner – Puritan PSM156
I stream most of my music, listen to everything from 60’s rock to blues and Jazz. My system as it currently exists sounds pretty good. My wife thinks it sound great. My main complaint with the existing system is it is still a little bright and I do experience some listener fatigue.
I am considering another upgrade. I have always had solid state integrated amplifiers. I am considering tube integrated amplifiers. My budget is 7 to 10K. If you have gone from SS to Tube, what did you buy? What was the most striking difference out of the box and 300 hours in? Did you keep the speakers you had?
I am not completely sure that a tube amp. is what my system needs. I thought speakers could also make a difference. So, I am considering adding Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 Graphene to my current system. If anyone would like to give me their impression of them I would greatly appreciate it. I have read that they pair well with Hegel Amps.
I have had the Carbon7’s since 2013. I like them a lot. I had also purchased Fritz’s Carrera 7Be. I sold them because I did not like beryllium tweeters, I thought I would, but I did not. BTW Fritz is a class act.
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As @boomerbillone said above, I would look at cables, both power and interconnects. Beg, borrow and demo a whole load. You have the PSM156 (great choice by the way), try their cables, the ultimate is very good. And my standing recommendation to apply fo.q thick TA-102 tape to all your capacitors in your system. Cant emphasize enough how good that stuff is
Finally double check your speaker positioning, that can also help and is free |
@op - try another speaker from a BBC influenced manufacturer like Harbeth or Spendor. That will tell you very quickly if the speaker is an issue for you. I haven't heard the Fritz speaker but I did have a pair of ProAc's which used a very similar driver combination and which were superb but did have a bit of raggedness around in the upper midrange. I appreciate that the Fritz speaker uses a different and unconventional crossover - but that makes it even more of an unknown quantity. BTW, I dislike generalisations about tube and solid state SQ as it can be very misleading in practice when it comes to individual designs. |
Switching from SS amps to tubes was one of the best moves I have made in my system. I went from McIntosh 1.25kwh Monoblocks to an Audio Research Ref160S. Have not missed my McIntosh at all. Much better SQ all the way around. You may want to find a reputable dealer who will let you demo a tube amp and try before you buy. Other recommendation is cabling. Didn’t see that mentioned but I would try cabling first if you have not already done so. good luck and let us know how you make out!! |
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