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What does "good" sound like?

I'm not sure where this topic should go, but here's the deal....My old roommate had an Adcom 5400 on my Kilpsch kg 3.5's with a Yamaha receiver and player(don't know the model #'s). We went our own ways and I decided to buy another 2 channel amp. I loved the way the Adcom sounded, but that was all I had ever heard. I did a little research and found many people loved to mate Aragon with Klipsch. So I ended up getting a 2004 mkII. It sounds way different, apples and oranges. I had no idea an amp could sound different. The problem is I don't listen to what most people listen to on here. I listen to mostly alternative/hard rock. Plus, it's in a different room with different components and wiring, although my wiring is better. I have a Yamaha htr5250 receiver and I had a Sony dvd player, it crapped out. I used to dac's from the Yamaha anyway because I thought they sounded better. With the Adcom I could really hear the guitars, they really stood out. Now with the Aragon the lead guitars are set really far back and the bass guitar and kick drum are really brought forward. I have to say, I like the Adcom better. The bass was pretty weak but the mid's and hi's were so much better. It seemed much more "alive" as you could hear guitar plucks and finger slides and much more detail. The Aragon is much better through the entire spectrum though, that thing will slam. I had no idea those little Klipsch's would go so low. So what am I missing here? Is it just that the Adcom was strong in the right frequencies and was more suited to the music I listen to? Or could it be the dac's are different? The room is different, but I doubt that's it. I don't think I have the right words to describe what it is I'm trying to say. Like, do I need better mid range or top end? I kind of want to swap out the Aragon for an Adcom 5500, but I love the aragon with movies because it has such great bass. Any suggestions? Thanks.
todd76
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Joekras, you make very valid points. I don't believe any system can fulfill all the requirements. If someone has such a system, please chime in. I know that my system reproduces live music very well, and that's how I can tell the components are synergistic. I also know that my system loves to play Metallica and Radiohead at high volume, but it doesn't much like Heart's "Greatest Hits", which always sounds better on my GM car stereo. I certainly don't advocate someone switching music styles to build a system.

What sounds "good" is entirely too subjective a question since answers will vary as much as the weather.
todd76 OP
13 posts
 
The responses I've gotten were what I was looking for. As far as swithcing music, I won't do it. But....if having a little different variety of cd's around to showcase my system, so be it. You know when a friend comes over, lol? I think in the end I'll sell the Aragon, but not just yet. It's not that I dislike it, it has it's strong points. I also wonder if I'm not making the old Adcom out to be better than was in my head. It's been like 4 years since then. I'll wait unitl I buy the house I'm looking at so I'll know what the final room set up will be, and until I get the new dvd player. That way I'll eliminate most of the variables. Thanks for the help.
eagleman6722
217 posts
 
This may sound sexist but, its the same as asking someone what they consider to be a good looking woman. Many guys go nuts over Julia Roberts but, I wouldn't give her a second look. My taste is more cheeky with strong thick thighs and buns. Some people like bright highs and a forward sound and some like laid back and warm. Just like saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder". You have to find your own reference sound....
timf
237 posts
 
good sounds like what the adcom set up did for you, in this case. But it doesnt hurt to set this in contrast to another sound, as it seems it has you thinking about what the differences really mean to you. Mentioning the dac in the yamaha and comparing it to the sony player, the types of rooms you have been listening in, and even high lighting the pros and cons of both the adcom and Aragon amps means you are open minded enough to consider the variables of what sounds good to you.Then, you are having a baby! Let your wife help as she can, eh? I have found they like feeling included, and it certainly isnt for you to take the whole challange of this sort of change on your own shoulders.
todd76 OP
13 posts
 
Yeah, about the wife, lol.....I already owned all this stuff before me and her got together. Well I never really discussed exactly how much it all cost, she just knew I was into it. Well the dvd player goes out and I'm thinking I'll be conservative because I'm about to have a baby. Like $300 or so. She about slapped me, lol. Same thing with the tv. Keep it around $1000. She's starting to understand though. Now at my parents's, I hooked some of their stuff up and showed her the difference one thing can make. She couldn't believe wiring made a differnce. I didn't tell her "only if you have equipment to take advantage of it", lol. I'm definately open minded about all this. Once I get settled for good I'll see what it sounds like. Bascially it comes down to 1)do I want the movies to sound great or 2) do I want the music to sound great, because each amp had their fortes's. So what most people consider to be good sound is if it sounds live? I say most people, not everyone.
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