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Listening Fatique- componet or speaker issue.

Hello everyone. I've been posting various questions in other topics trying to solve a problem that couldn't discribe until now. I jumped into the audiophile hobby these last few months full head-on. I got the best that I could for about 1200 and finally ended up with as my first set-up.

Totem Rainmakers (straightwire octava II)
Nad c320bee
Source (pc m-audio,foobar) will be (modded squeezebox2)

In the begining (sounds like the bible I know) after I hooked it all up I was estatic. I've never listen or owned any quality audio eq and this was a huge leap for me. The sound was or so detailed, huge, realistic and plain great. This only brief sessions. Now that all the newness factor is gone and I actually live with these I seem to be in a delima.
Normally I play my music at low levels simply because during the week days I come home late and I live in a tenant building (rules are rules). At lower levels I can listen to the music for a fair amount of time no problem. No real hint of fatigue.
Now my fatigue seems to occur at normal or slightly higher than normal listening level. I don't get seem to get headache as most other people. My ear mostly feel "tired" and occasionally I do get a ring. The sound coming out also sounds compressed and boxy.
I don't know if it's a speaker componet (source, amp, or room) but it's really getting me bumbed out. I brought my new setup so I can listen to more music and make it a more consistant part of my life as a musician (gotta study the greats) not so my ears ache and feel tired.
When I changed the source from my dvd to my computer (m-audio foobar) it became better but it's still there. I posted a thread about my amp changing but know now that I didn't ask the right question.
Now my Rainmakers are rated at min 50w at 4 ohms and maximum is 100w I think. I decided on the nad mainly on suggestion on this and other threads and read that a couple rainmaker owners match them. I like the amp quite a bit its warm and quite detailed but can this fatigue I am experiencing also be occuring because of the amp. Could this fatigue be just the normal distortion created by my speakers not being driven well at higher levels?
Or are the rainmakers just naturally fatiguing and harsh when pushed? I need advice from the higher ups.
daimbert
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Phd makes a very good point.Something I was thinking but didn't type. Some speakers are designed to WoW you from the start. It isn't till later when you discover it was all a facade. I have discovered as he the ones that grow on you over time are the real keepers.

Good luck
daimbert OP
56 posts
 
I didn't know a room can have that big of an effect. It's my bedroom/listening room (no choice). I had no carpets, just finish renovating (taking out plaster putting shetrock) and does have quite a bit of echo. I guess I've learned to live with it. Come to think with this whole apartment has alot of echo.

As for the source the squeezebox is not wired into the computer but streams Flac files wirelessly to my setup. Sound a hell of alot better than my last sorce (thosiba dvd. The squeezebox has it's own dc and can also be hooked up to an outboard one. Sending it out for modding to hope address this issue (harsh).

Gmood- you mean they color the sound a bit?

I'll try room treatment. I guess amp o.k then. If it's still hars after then speakers gotta go.
phd
1,008 posts
 
Daimbert, there are some audiophiles that may treat the room to get the desired sound and that is fine & dandy if you know what your doing. Personally I select gear, interconnects, power cords etc. that will work within the existing room acoustics & get the desired sound. Another thing to try is to reposition the speakers to attempt the change.
line
107 posts
 
Yes, Phd does makes a very good point and i agree but isn't odd the live music wow's me at the start also but does not fatigue like that.
saki70
853 posts
 
I have used most of the suggestions mentioned above in a small bedroom that I use as a listening room.

I contacted the people at 'Eighth Nerve' for room treatments. I faxed a drawing of my room, furniture and components to them. They sent me a suggested placement for these items as well as suggestions for their room treatment products and their placement . It was quite easy and made an improvement. Price was under $500

I then tried cabling. A friend of mine has experience with the same components that I have and he suggested IC's and power chords that worked for him . They also made an improvement . Thanks Boa2. Price was under $200.

However the biggest improvements came when I changed to a tubed CDP and speakers with soft domed tweeters instead of metal ones . Each of these changes were about an equal improvement and greater than the previous ones. I can now listen for hours without any listener fatigue. Again Thanks Boa2.

I would suggest first to read the Rives primer on room accoustics and then introduce tubes into your system .
A couple of throw rugs, coats hanging on the walls and an inexpesive tubed DAC will probably be the easiest and least expensive way to start .

Good luck.
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