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My System....where to start on the upgrade path

I’ve been in this hobby for only 2 years, so I have much to learn. I have questions about my overall system and didn’t know where to post them so I thought I’d give this forum a try. I read many of the forum comments on a weekly basis but I don’t post often because I haven’t felt that I had a solid enough background to share my opinion. I do have a very good ear, so I don’t mind sharing something I’ve heard if I think it sounded especially good.

I have decided that something is my system is lacking. I want the music to open up more. I want the various instruments to stand out more. I like listening to music at low levels, but I want to be able to raise the volume to real world levels and still retain that separation without the music sounding “jumbled” As you can see I don’t know all the proper audiophile terms so please just bare with me.

System:
Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers
Pathos Classic MKIII integrated with Electro-Harmonix 6922EH tubes
Cambridge 840c CD player
Thoren TD-160 HD turntable(modified by George Merrill
Ortofon AS-212S Tonearm
Dynavector 20X Cartridge
Sutherland PhD MC phono preamplifier
Ginko Cloud Audio Vibration platform(turntable)
Acoustic Zen Satori Speaker Cables
Acoustic Zen Wow interconnects
Bruce Brisson’s Giant Killer power conditioner( I can’t hear the difference with it)
Room: 23’7” x 15’4” x 9’3”
Speakers are along the short wall.
4 large plate glass windows along one of the long walls can be covered by heavy blackout Roman shades.
Glass sliding doors on the short wall opposite the speakers can be covered with heavy blackout drapes.
Heavy rugs on the Pergo covered concrete floor
Lots of upholstered furniture

Will tube rolling in the Pathos make a dramatic difference?
Amp-speaker match-up?

I’m trying to figure out where to start. I feel like I need more bass.
I know that this is painted with a broad brush, but if I can gets some good feedback, then maybe I can ask some more specific questions. Thanks Catfishbob
catfishbob
catfishbob OP
44 posts
 
Mapman....thanks for your response. I have thought about an in home audition of another amp. Nuforce is one that comes to mind. What other companies out there offer in home auditions? I don't have a pre-amp. I would really like to try tubes. Robert Lee is always recommending various tube amps for the Adagios, but it always seems like the "flavor of the month" when I have spoken with him. In all fairness He might not be able to understand my Southern accent. He is a very nice guy even though I sometimes have a hard time following what he says.

Speaker placement. I have tried to drastically change the speaker placement. Like most situations I have limitations. We live in this room so I can only place the speakers so far from the front wall. I have tried pulling them way out, but I didnt seem to get a huge boost from that. I tried the "Golden rule" method to place them, but that put them so far out as to make the room unusable. I assume that some speakers are more difficult and more finicky with placement. The front of my speakers about 36 inches from the front wall. They are 92" apart center to center and 42 and 52 inches from the side wall respectively(measured to the center of the speaker). I don't always listen from tha sweet spot. I have to move a chair to the sweet spot if that's my intent. thanks for the response and suggestions.
steakster
720 posts
 
I've owned Adagio Jrs. for 3 years - along with a powered sub. I've discovered that they are very responsive to tweaks of all kinds. Etbaby has offered excellent advice. The room and quality of power make a huge difference.

I use a 35w/ch p/p tube amp to drive them. My 300w/ch SS amp offers a tad more mid-bass punch but generally makes the sound thinner and somewhat sterile. I much prefer the tube amp - which sits on Tuneblocks which sit on a Sistrum Svelte shelf. This tweak adds a bit more punch in the mid-bass along with slightly cleaner highs. I also recommend aftermarket footers for the speakers - which are discussed in other threads.

I agree with Skickaskinka. Until you compare other components in your system in your home, it will be a constant guessing game. Have fun! Be patient!
steakster
720 posts
 
To add to my thoughts above, I'm not a fan of Electro-Harmonix 6922EH tubes. In my preamp, they sounded fairly dull.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Steakster,

What tube and SS amps specifically do you have?
steakster
720 posts
 
Hi Mapman,

CR Developments Artemis mono-blocks (tube) and Carver Lightstar Reference (SS).
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