2. pc-audio
  3. 1211617448

Mid life audio crisis

Hi,

As the title says I seem to be going through a mid-life audio crisis and I would like some advice.

Here goes: In recent years I have upgraded, changed and tweaked my system until I have arrived at the following:

* Audio Aero Capitole CDP;
* Joule Electra LA 150MkII preamp;
* Dave Berning ZH-270 amp;
* Merlin VSM speakers;
* Cardas Gold Ref speaker cable & interconnects.

As you will see I have spent quite a few $$$$s on this system and I've been considering changing my ZH-270 for a pair of valve mono blocks over the last few months to help me get some more bottom end slam from my speakers.

Recently I bought a Steve Nugent modified Benchmark DAC1 and started to play digital music from my Mac. I was amazed at the sound quality from this combination and I considered selling my CDP. I have not sold my CDP yet but I suspect it will be only matter of time, as I think the modified DAC1 is better than my CDP and I have burned all my CDs to hard disk and use this more than my CDP.

I have never really got on that well with my Merlin speakers. Now please don't shoot me for saying this, all you Merlin fans, but they don't quite have the 'grunt' and energy that I like, perhaps they are true audiophile and too refined. I love transparency and sounstage, which they do well, but I also love bottom end slam that they don't do that well in my view.

The performance of the DAC1 has started me thinking and looking at 'pro' audio/studio gear and a week ago I got to listen to a tiny pear of active PMC AML1 speakers, that are powered by Byrston amps. This was fed by a Larvy DAC/Mac and nothing else but XLR cables - a real simple system that sounded amazing, but just lacked some bottom end slam, but had lots of transparency!

PMC recommend a sub with their AML1 speakers and I have worked out I could have my DAC1 > Bryston crossover to sort out the sub and active monitors. A really simple system that will probably halt me upgrading.

So what do I do? Keep my current system or go the active monitor + sub and DAC fed by a Mac.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Monty
montywoo
tweak1
870 posts
 
Keep what you have and add a powered sub like SVS,
montywoo OP
20 posts
 
Shadorne,

I love dynamics and energy and I value hearing exactly what is on a disk. This has its drawbacks, in that quite a few of my disks sound real bad through the Benchmark.

PMC recommend their SB100 that features the PMC 10" flat carbon fibre & Nomex™ piston driver in a heavily braced and damped cabinet with an effective line length of 2.8m (9ft). The combination of piston driver and PMC’s ATL™ transmission line technology gives the SB100 its outstanding detailed response down to 25Hz with a peak SPL of >116dB

Features
• PMC ATL™ (Advanced Transmission Line) with 2 sections
• PMC 10” / 250mm carbon fibre & Nomex™ piston driver
• 3” Edge wound voice coil
• Matching response for use with AML1, IB1 or IB2 models
• Phenomenal bass response down to 25Hz
• Shallow cabinet – 350mm (13.78”)
• Specifiable 4mm sockets or Neutrik NL4™ input
• Recommended amp power up to 250W
• Activation option with Bryston PowerPac 300™ (SB100-A)

They also recommend using the PowerPac.

Oh and don't mention 'hogs' :-)

Ghasley,

Welcome to the dark side - well thank you ;-) I was pleased to read your views on using the Benchmark with the AML1. I will take your advice on trying the speakers in my room before spending more $$ on a cross over, sub and amp.

Also great point about the CDP.

Tweak1,

Thanks - it is an option to keep what I have plus add a sub, but I think I need to scratch my active PMC itch.

Monty
sns
653 posts
 
I have Merlin VSM speakers as well. It looks like you have one of the prescribed/standardized Merlin setups. I can see how you wouldn't have the bass slam you desire. First of all, the kind of bass you seem to want will never come from the Merlins, get one of the subwoofers mentioned above. You could also try an 845 tube based amp vs. the Berning, I suspect an 845 would integrate with a subwoofer better by filling out the lower end on the Merlins. I'm running Art Audio Carissa Signature, Art Audio has just come out with 845 monoblocks, could be just what you're looking for.

I don't see how a pro audio 'sound' would be to your liking over the long run. You already don't like the Merlins because they are too "audiophile and refined," this sounds like exactly the same problem the guy I bought the Merlins from complained about. He couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was he didn't like about them, he only knew he wanted to go over to the 'dark side,' a full McIntosh system. He was suffering from the dreaded uppermidrangeitus that some audio equipment suffers from. The presence region is exaggerated, the center point of tonal balance is the upper midrange. The result is lack of musicality, an analytical sound. All the pro audio stuff I hear has the same affliction, but with way more bass slam, the sound is still way unbalanced.

You need to keep the refinement of the Merlins, fill out the lower mids and upper bass with 845 tubes (perhaps there are other amps), and add some bass slam with JL Audio subs.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Given the TL design of the PMC's it may be wise to stick with their sub. The PMC AML1 are tuned at 5.5 feet TL length which does not match the subwoofer at 9 feet TL length. I am not sure what that does to the phase when you combine two. (bass extension enhanced speakers are generally a bit harder to combine with a sub) Since they are active it is possible that they simply compensate electronically for phase to get a perfect seamless match. Ask your dealer - PMC have an outstanding reputation.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Oh - and just one thing - pro-speakers are often viewed as "harsh sounding" and "non-musical" or simply analytical or worse as "PA sound" by many audiophiles.. Certainly with modern pop recordings (many are terribly compressed) these type speakers will make you suffer at high volumes with such ugly source material - so there is a valid reason for wanting a speaker with the usual BBC-Dip - being the ticket to a generally more consistently pleasant sound. However, I would say PMC's are not as forward sounding as some pro designs - so if you are worried about longterm listening enjoyment in making the move from audiophile to pro then PMC is probably a good choice.
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