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smoothing those sibilants...

I appreciate the feedback on the interconnect post I made a few days ago, and here is my next question: If I am attempting to smooth out the sound of a "low-end-of-the-high-end" system, reducing grain while retaining detail (and looking for a warmer more "classic tube sound"), where is my energy/$$$ best spent? Would it be the digital source itself, the interconnects, the input tubes, the speaker cables, or the speakers? Or something else? (System info can be seen under the post entitled "need interconnect advice", and there are some new interconnects on the way.)
aldenruss
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The downside of a nice system is when your stuck with adding a cheaper digital component and it totally shreads your ears. I looked at the other post and when I saw the mid-fi DVD... The solution is to use earplugs; or get a better digital source. The only way to get rid of the glare of a poor digital source is to smother it with a million layers of blankets. Try running the signal through your cassette player... recording the signal and listening to the tape monitor output!!!! The bad digital front end is THE WORST THING around. If I were you I'd get a better one or give up.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
My prior response is a bit extreme! I just also bought a Sony ???555ES 300CD changer at a closout price and now want to return it. The thing just has that "bad" sound. Even through my D/A converter. In the past I made a terrible mistake.. I had a Hafler DH110 and traded it in for a Sony 1000ES digital preamp. What a FOOL!!!!! I actually stopped listening to music completely. I really didn't realize the stinking preamp was the reason 'till much later. Then I dumped that junk!!! So I am a bit sensitive to the dangers of "digititus". And angry at myself for buying another pile of scrap. (I am taking it back after a week of use. The sales contract says I can return it and I hope all goes well.. then I can buy a GOOD used CD player!!!)
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Interesting commentary Elizabeth: not extreme IMO. Couldn't agree more regarding how a nice system can sound so god-awfully horrible with an economy digital front end. Loved your cracks about earplugs & the cassette-deck filter. How about some pillows over your tweeters? Isn't running the signal thru some budget IC's just another form of filtering? I subscribe to the G.I.G.O. theory myself. Want a nice hi-res. CD player that's also really smooth? An EAD Ultradisk 2000 made it happen at my house. A 20 bit HDCD GEM; & avail. used (you can't buy a new one anymore) around $1K+. Meridian 508.24, Electrocompaniet EMC-1, YBA Integre are other contenders.
leafs
414 posts
 
Elizabeth you are so bang on.people dont realize how critical the source is.one should spend the same $ on the source as they spend on a speakers.I sold my Anthem CD-1 and used the Money to buy a Turntable,I love my analog front end.I replaced the cd player with a mid fi Nak unit.My wife who listens to CD is not as keen to listing to the cd player as she used to be.I get tired in a matter of minutes.I will be getting a hi end player soon.Smooth the sibilants with a good digital front end.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Ooh Ooh I took back the Sony junk and bought the Panasonic DVD-a ??10. Couldn't resist. The local "TV Lenny's" had it for $999 and sold it to me (I'm charming???) for the'family' price of $803. It is FAB on regular CD's. It was worth every penny just as a CD player. The 24 bit re??do is a great feature on 1984--1989 crummy CD mastering. The "bad" stuff is gone! (only on a really new CD: Fiona Apple's Tidal was the 24 bit worse)
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