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How do I smooth out violins?

I have a decent system (bit of a mixed bag) but know that I can achieve a smoother, more integrated, and more relaxed massed violin sound. I listen to a ton of orchestral music and notice that massed violins in their upper registers (1500-3500 Hz) often jump out from the mix and sound a bit harsh, unlike what one hears live. Right now, I have the following:

Spendor SP1/2E
McCormick DNA-125 (original)
NAD 1600 (pre/tuner)
Marantz CD3000
Audioquest Sidewinder ICs
Audioquest Type 4

Would a tube pre help (maybe a AA M3A)? I'm thinking that the NAD may be the culprit. Any advice from those of you who have quested for "real" violin sound is very much appreciated.
bojack

Showing 2 responses by elizabeth

elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Try a power conditioner. the main positive from most conditioners is impovement in the upper frequencies.
Then buy some used original Cardas interconnects for the Cd player to preamp. they are warmer and 'softer' sounding.
Or stick some ferrite claps on you current IC. Audio Quest made some larger ones which would fit your interconnects. Just on the wires from the Cd player...
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Two points: Telling the op to throw money at the problem is not much for advice!
The idea of finding a great recoding to 'test' is a wonderful idea. I never thought of that.. Then the op can compare: Does this recoding with a consesus of it sounding great, in fact sound great on my setup?
WOW.

The cheapest possible tweak is the ferrite claps on the CD interconnects. (I used to use them all the time.. Now i have finally gotten past that.
Though all my CDs DO sound great...NOW. Gee (I must have messed up per some folks! Not IMO though.)
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