"Is it the speakers that gives that realism to instruments?"
Yes.
Realism in instruments how to achieve it?
Hi all,
Based on the recommendations of this forum I added a BAT VK3i Preamp to my system a few months ago and it lifted my whole system, before that I was going from SMSL RAW MDA1 DAC directly to Apollon Purifi Amp, now the BAT is in between and it gave me that warmth and analog sound I was looking for. Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Nat King Cole all sound real and "In the Room" feeling. On the analog side which I don't use as often I added a Lector tube phono preamp and it made a massive impact more than on the digital side. The thing I noticed on the digital side is that voices mainly sound so real more than instruments which have body and textures but not yet reaches that realism I feel from hearing voices mainly and when I play a record instruments are just more live and real. Guitars specifically sound much better with the BAT preamp in the signal but other instruments like in classical symphonies are not quite there yet.
Is it the speakers that gives that realism to instruments?
I cycle between Totem Arro and Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home speakers. Also, have a JBL 530 in storage but needs a speaker stand.
Two upgrade path I thought of: Push pull power tube amp or a single ended amp. The issue that my setup is in a modest bedroom and heat is a concern. Another thing I thought to add is a R2R DAC with a tube buffer like the upcoming Fiio Warmer Dac.
Another upgrade I considered is going for British bookshelf speakers like Spendor, Harbeth, Graham Audio.
What do you think is that realism in instruments can be achieved more with speakers or with a tube amp in the chain? should I just be pleased with what I have and ignore upgrades for now?
Thanks and sorry for the long post.
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I have similar size Sonus Faber Concerto Domus among others both larger and smaller. I suspect your speakers like my SF are undersized to fully deliver everything realistically. I refer to it as lack of "meat on the bones". Smaller speakers trying to deliver big sound, My recommendation would be a pair of Ohm 4000 or 5000. My larger Ohms are similar and can do it all, more so than my smaller SFs and others. You just have to give them the ample amplification they need to fully shine as well. Your instruments will sound "real" for sure. |
@mapman Actually the issue for me with the Sonus Faber is that they are bigger than my room (10 * 17 ft) specially since I got the Apollon they get boomy and sometimes bright which is weird considering how warm they were before. I switched to Totem Arro and they fit the space much better. What do you think about british speakers like Spendor and Harbeth? |
- 50 posts total