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Please help with system synergy and imaging

Need help with my system. Basically my system is too laid back. By this I mean I have that row "z" sound. I have no image coming from the outside boundaries of my speakers and no image beyond the front plane. Sound is between the speakers only with a really deep stage. My system is as follows, Sony SACD777 (my previous MSB DAC had a more up front sound and actually images better in my current system), Aud. Illusions Line 1 preamp, CJ 11A amp (I believe it is considered laid back but I like the liquid sound), Audio Physic Virgo2 speakers, and MIT 330 and Shotgun cables (these are supposed to have a big midrange). What is my problem? Different cables? Get rid of the tubes? Back to the MSB dac? I don't like that deep dish sound and have already experimented with positioning (as per AP) and room size. Any help is appreciated.
joekras
tacs
220 posts
 
I think there are too many electronics in the signal chain, including the cables, which have all kinds of things going on in them (inductors, etc). Do you have any other cables around? Also try running the CD player into the amp directly (use a recording that won't overload the system since you do not have volume control in this case) and see if this doesn't do it.
It's possible also that the player needs more break in, or that the recordings just don't have the information you're talking about. Also, mind you, many good audiophile recordings are 'laid back' in the first place. Good luck!
blackie
221 posts
 
Pretty much all your equipment has a laid back sound so what do you expect? Ditch the L1 preamp and go with something like a Blue Circle or Cary and the MIT cables are definately taking some of the zing out of your sound. First get some non-networked cables (acoustic zen/audioquest/tara labs/etc.) then experiment with a few preamps until you find one that has the balance that you like.
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
you should be able to get to "row m," at least, by exchanging the mit wire with something on the more transparent (NOT the company) side. don't know your budget but i'd look to tara rsc's or, better, ism's, if the latter are in your range. - cfb
ljgj
955 posts
 
Get rid of the MIT's and do not run the Cd player into the amp directly without a volume control.
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