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How to tame the midrange???

I am almost there with my system, except that the midrange sounds harsh, grainy, and exceptionally digital. Female vocals in particular. It actually sounds like clipping, but I can hear it at any volume level. However, the problem is more noticable as volume is increased. I listen to a lot of acoustic music with prominent vocals, so this is a real problem.
The room is 26 x 28 x 9. Furnishings are 6 piece HT type seating and carpet....nothing else. No treatments at all. I/C cables are Radio Shack's best. I plan to do room treatments and better cables last.
I am thinking a good DAC might smooth things out a bit. Or maybe seperate 2 channel from HT by adding a good 2 channel preamp with HT pass through. (the front speakers are already on seperate amps) Maybe a preamp with tubes. I suppose having the Denon CDP modified is an option as well. My focus is 2 channel. HT sounds good enough as is, and is a low priority. Budget is around 5000.00, but flexible.
The gear is:
Sunfire Theatre Grand II processor
Denon 3910 ....no mods
Classe Seven Hundred Mono blocks for fronts
Adcom 300x7 for center and surrounds (all bi-amped)
B&W 800N fronts
B&W HTM-1 center
B&W CDM9-NT surrounds
Another consideration is that I listen to Comcast Music Choice digital music channels quite a bit through their Motorola box. I think that makes a stronger case for adding a good DAC. I am new at this and rely exclusively on Goner's advise. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
baffled
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audphile1
1,368 posts
 
I own N803 and found the room acoustics to play a big role in the way these speakers sound. I use Echobusters corners and 8th nerve seems. Drapes behind the speakers and a rug on the floor. Seems that all these things do the job well. Also, and may be I am wrong, but I observed that if the amplifier can not drive the speakers properly then as the volume inscreases harshness will increase as well. But with B&Ws room treatment is a must! Also, bi-wire speaker cables help as well. B&W speakers when bi-wired just sound more balanced. Just my opinion.
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Bafffled,

Ok I guess I may have been attributing a past problem that I had with your issues. Sorry if this was not really much help. Certainly if your car stereo has the same issue then it may be more to do with the way you perceive the music...again I reiterate that your speakers and gear are excellent...so my next suggestion would be an equalizer ....6db down at 4K is well known to reduce what is pecieved as harshness in the mid range.
cinematic_systems
282 posts
 
Baffled,

I own TAG McLaren FYI but you can do it GMood's way and since I live near Silver Spring MD, I have no problem coming with a Meridian processor and show you what I'm talking about once you have your My-T "2 channel rig" going.

I'll bring some tissues too.

PS:"or just not that well informed." think you know enough to judge who knows what? :) email me anytime.
jafox
1,348 posts
 
An equalizer? That's a drastic solution. I would only consider this if you're willing to kiss off resolution and collapse the soundstage. There is so much to address in this system: cables, room acoustics and speaker placement that could very well resolve or significantly reduce any number of problems identified here.

I think it is great that there is someone near you. I would certainly take the offer from velocitydls and hear his Meridian in your system. But I am with GMood1 on this one. For multi-channel digital sources, movies, etc, the Meridian could very well be a huge step up from your processor. But when you insert a tube stage in the loop in place of the Meridian, be prepared to pass the tissue box over to velocitydls. Any number of models in the $2000-3000 range on the used market like the ARC LS5, LS25, BAT 31SE, BAT 5, Aesthetix Calypso, etc., will bring on a level of musicality to the 2-channel presentation that no ss multi-channel processor can even begin to approach. Try and borrow some cables from your dealer to use for these tests too. The line stage to amp link is critical.

John
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shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Jafox,

All depends on your perspective.

Jafox states
An equalizer? That's a drastic solution. I would only consider this if you're willing to kiss off resolution and collapse the soundstage.

Actually an EQ might be the cheapest and most flexible solution. Used very moderately, I have not found that an EQ destroys sound stage or resolution...although, from a purist perspective, it is preferable if you can do with out it altogether...as I do currently.

The albums/CD/SACD's we purchase are all manufactured sounds anyway; transduced by a microphone, played back on a another type transducer, and adjusted to the sound engineer's tastes on that playback system. The sound has therefore been modified through all kinds of filtering, starting with the venue to the microphone to evenutally the mastering studio... so an EQ or filter, from a non purist perspective, can be simply one more personal tweak or a necessary room adjustment rather than a total corruption to the sound.
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