Listening Levels for Classical Music / Slightly electronic sound at high levels


I'm presently auditioning some new very high resolution speakers to possibly take the place of my Thiel 2.4's which are absolutely fabulous on classical music but which run out of steam on orchestral peaks.  The new speakers absolutely do NOT run out of steam and are *perhaps* more highly resolving than the Thiels which is really saying something.  However what I'm hearing on the Paradigm Persona 9h is sound of a different character between crescendos and quiet portions of the classical repertoire where individual instrument, although generally "right" in timbre (clarinets sound like clarinets and bassoons sound like bassoons) but there's a slightly electronic sounding envelope around individual instruments.  It particularly noticeable at high listening levels but less so at moderate listening levels and low listening levels.  In a word the music on the 9Hs sound ever slightly more "electronic" or "digital" with a tiny bit less  immediacy and presence than with the Thiels on quieter portions of the musical line where solo instruments enter and the rest of the orchestra is sightly recessed.  The 9Hs are astounding in so many ways that I'm just trying to get my head around the differences that I'm hearing.  Amplification is a Pass 150.8, pre is the Aesthetix Janus, DAC is the PS Audio Directstream.   I can listen at moderate levels and not be bothered by it so much but there's a subtle difference here. Once they're dialed in both speakers image like crazy and disappear in the soundstage.   Any thoughts?
pwhinson

Showing 2 responses by lowrider57

Are you using any vibration control or isolation on your sources? You have a PSA dac, what is your source?
I’m asking since the highs with orchestral music on my system resulted in a sizzle or digititis. I changed DACs and added a reclocker to lower jitter, but the harshness remained. Then I took measures to control vibration from my components. Treating my PSA transport was a step in the right direction. Next was my DAC, and the playback was now sounding like music with realistic highs. Brass instruments will always have a raspy quality, that’s their nature.
The components will vibrate on their own and in my case, there was an acoustical issue from a woofer directed at my audio rack.
I recommend addressing jitter and vibration if you haven’t already.


At this point, playing vinyl may be the way to diagnose this issue. Most modern pressings originate from digital production/mastering which does impart different characteristics than AAA.
   My advice; use a known high quality record from either an analogue or digital master to test your speakers. You can check reviews of vinyl you own, or buy a high quality analogue recording. There are so many available.