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Help, my system sounds lifeless!

Hi, this is my first post.  I rushed putting my system together when i emigrated from the UK to New Jersey.  In fact this site was partly to blame as i was attracted to the amazing  "used" deals!  I bought a pair of Dali Helicon 400 (mark I)  as they passed the WAF.  The rest of the system contains a Belles Soloist Integrated and Simaudio Equinox SE CD player, wireworld platinum eclispe 6 interconnect & Audio Art Cable Classic SC-5 Speaker Cable.  My room maybe partly to blame but generally the system sounds lifeless, with little soundstage (better when i play vinyl).  I am not feeling/falling in love with the speakers and do not like the bass response (which is often reported).  I would like to change the speakers and was wondering if you could help.  I have an extremely large cd collection (and have recently bought a used Lumin D1, but unfortunately not set up yet) covering all kinds of music.  I am thinking 8ohm with better sensitivity would be a better option.  Looking to spend around $3000-4000 used.  Some contenders include Revel F206 or F208, Tannoy DC8 or DC8T, ATC SCM40, JA Pulsars (maybe too much $), PBN Liberty, Aerial 10T (never see them used) but they must have grills as sometimes kids go in the basement.  Maybe Monitors with stands would be better option?  I am hoping the flickr link works so you can see my room (excuse the feet!).  I want to fall in love with my large music collection again!  Looking for good bass & soundstage and speakers that can play all kinds of music (sometimes I'm partial to deep electronic music).  In some ways because my taste is so vast i am not particularly looking for ultra revealing speakers (Nora Jones speakers i think you call them!).  Looking forward to the NY audio show so i can hear some systems.  Thanks for all the help, cheers Paul  https://www.flickr.com/gp/97665913@N06/a5G6d9
spoutmouzert

Showing 3 responses by jeffstarr

jeffstarr
23 posts
 
It's a picture, I can't tell how big or small the room is.

Spout, could you post the dimensions and take some pics from all directions.? People are telling you your room is too small, we can't tell, he could have 10 feet behind where he is sitting. It looks like you might benefit from some better setup. Read up on the different methods for speaker setup. The room acoustics should be addressed. It might help to get that cabinet out of there. You could set your gear up on the left, if you clean up those shelves. Yes, that might involve getting longer speaker cables.
Do you live near any audio shops? If so, go in and listen, if you like the store, find out if they will let you bring in one component at a time, and put it into the system they used that you liked. I don't know any of your gear. Could be one big mismatch. I recently heard a system using a Moon dac, I didn't like it. Your CD player was reviewed in 2004, it may be part of the problem. I don't think you will find what you are seeking, by changing speakers, without hearing them and others.
Get the Lumin set up, see if it sounds better than the CD player.
We all have our preferences, but I won't recommend specific gear, not without knowing more about the room.

Going to the audio show is a good idea.
jeffstarr
23 posts
 
A lot of people have taken the time to ask questions and make suggestions. 
I don't see one reply from the Op. 

Makes me wonder why we bother. 
jeffstarr
23 posts
 
I still want actual dimensions and pics from all angles.
We don't know the rooms true dimensions, based on two photos.

I can understand WAF in living room, but in the room you are in, in the basement, you need to take control. After my girlfriend moved in, she started hinting at changes. I was ok until she suggested moving the stereo to the long wall. When asked why not, I made it cleat it was about sound quality, and that she could make changes in any room of the house but that one.
To the OP, if kids could do damage to the system, put a lock on the door, and then start training them when you are around.
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