Bright system
May 22, 2007
I have a problem listening to my system for long periods of
time. It makes me very tried, just like putting on eyeglasses and driving for a long
period of time. I do not know how to describe the sound; you might say it is too digital
(bright). Most of my CDs are jazz with female vocals and some small-scale classical music.
What will be the best option for me to change the character
of system, to make it more analog-like? I am thinking about getting rid of my Anthem
integrated and buying a used Plinius 8150. I am also considering getting rid of my Marantz
67SE and finding a used Audio Research CD2. I could also keep everything but add a DAC
such as a Bel Canto DAC2 or Benchmark DAC1.
Here is my system:
Anthem integrated
Marantz 67SE CD player
B&W 602 speakers
DH-Labs BL1 interconnects and T-14 speaker cables
My room is approximately 19' X 22'.
Visanu
I doubt the cause of your system’s brightness has
much to do with the components that you are considering replacing. My guess is that it is
either speaker or room related, or both. The first thing I would do is work with speaker
placement, specifically the toe-in of the speakers. If you lessen the toe-in (i.e.,
angle the speakers more straight forward than toward you), you will lessen the apparent
high-frequency energy. This may fix things all by itself. Another idea is to look toward
your room. Some adsorbent materials placed on the side walls, or a rug placed on the floor
between you and the speakers will help tame the speakers’ first reflections. This
will certainly make the system sound less bright and digital-like. Only after trying all
of this would I consider upgrading components. And honestly, I would start with changing
the speakers, not the CD player or amplifier.
“Blind buy?”
May 14, 2007
I have been considering getting a pair of Athena AS-F1.2
tower speakers, but I am still undecided because I can't hear them beforehand. Will you be
kind enough to give me your professional expert opinion on these speakers? Blind buy?
Leo
Based on what we’ve heard in the past from Athena
Technologies, I’d say that their speakers are pretty safe bets. That is to say,
placed properly with an amplifier sufficient to drive them, you should be able to get good
sound. These days “blind buys” are more and more common because there just
isn’t that much space in the stores devoted to properly displaying audio equipment.
Sticking with solid companies that you know have good track records, as you are doing, is
about the safest bet. Just checking the website, the AS-F1.2 looks to be a lot of speaker
for the money.
Classic equipment
May 11, 2007
I am trying to assemble a classic system consisting of Leak
electronics and JBL speakers. I have found some good sources local to me (I live in Ohio),
but I would like to know your opinion on where online I could shop.
Ralph
The most obvious choice for these components would be
eBay. There is more for sale there -- in any genre of product -- than practically anywhere
else in the world. I suspect that with a little patience you can find the exact models you
are looking for. I do have another suggestion, however: The Lansing Heritage website (www.lansingheritage.org). These
folks seem to know more about JBL-Lansing than any I’ve ever run across. If you post
your question to their forums, I imagine that you would get some expert advice. There is
also a Marketplace section where members post their used gear, so you may find the
equipment that you are looking for as well. The history they present is also quite
fascinating. Good luck in your project.
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