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Hihat Question

Thanks in advance for your opinion-

My system is:

Anthem Integrated 225

Musical Fidelity Cd as Transport

Schiit Modi Multibit

Technics Sl 1200 mk2

Usher Cp6311

Morrow Cables

I like the system overall, plenty of bass, voices sound realistic, highs are not strident, etc.

As a drummer, I love to hear hihats, cymbals, etc. On some systems in the past I’ve heard more of this than through my setup. Most of these setups have been in the past on equipment I perceive is a lower grade than mine.

My question is: 

Should I be hearing most every hihat strike, close? Is hearing these sounds consistently the sound of a revealing system or a ‘tipped up’ presentation that I would likely tire of?

Live music varies to me in this respect, and the music on my my system varies as well. Unfortunately, I’m not able to demo where I live, so I’m interested in your opinion. Fwiw- I hear all a lot more treble in my automobile, but could be due to the euphoric goal of the manufacturer. I’m in my late 50’s, so that may play a part-

On many jazz albums, it’s all there, others not so much.

Sorry for the one post.

Thanks
uncledemp
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
643 posts
 

Hi Uncledemp

The answer is Tunable Speakers, Tunable Room and Tunable System.

http://tuneland.forumotion.com/

http://www.michaelgreenaudio.net/

What I do is tune my systems (per recording if wanted) to bring out any particulars on the recording.

Michael Green

uncledemp OP
277 posts
 
Bdp24,

I’m fine hearing the music as it was recorded/mastered. My integrated has tone controls, but I utilize the bypass mode.

I was given some music suggestions earlier in the thread to use as a guide. Hopefully, I’ll listen to some of them today. 

Many recordings sound great, and overall I’m happy. I was just curious to ask other’s opinions. Much of the feedback mirrored yours regarding what I should hear.

When positioning my speakers initially, I remember the speakers having a little too much bite in one area of the room - hopefully I can adjust position and maximize my speakers balance.

Thanks for the reply-

gary
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I am a treble fanatic.. Not a drummer though...             
I have to say most recording do not justice to the cymbals..All in the mastering, microphones used etc...   I have only a few recordings, of hundreds.. where the cymbals are nice and clean and clear.              
As for getting MORE cleaner treble...               
My #1 suggestions are power conditioner.. and better powercords.. The powercords do NOT need to be expensive. Pangea AC14SE are good, and great for the price. A used conditioner.. A Furman or some other big brand name used.. If you make your own power cords, definitely Teflon insulation on the AC wire. Also on speaker wire. Kimber 8TC, 4TC is Teflon insulation.
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shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Folks are missing the point.

You need a good tube preamp not a good recording or a treble heavy speaker.

All the suggestions here to raise the treble will just ruin the balance of the overall musical presentation. Most hi-hat sound is 2-3KHz - treble will only add shimmer.

A good well selected tube preamp will add some harmonics to the 2-3KHz range and allow you to better hear the hi-hat. Our hearing uses both fundamental tones and harmonics. Amazingly our ears can work out the fundamental even if it is totally absent provided the harmonics are audible enough!!! Hi-hat has little in the way of natural harmonics - a judicious choice of tube will add the necessary touch.

(The use of tubes in this manner was Doug Sax secret sauce in the Mastering Lab - it is the main reason why his masters seem to extract so much more sound than his competitors ever did)
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