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Most beneficial change .

I am seeking opinions about what to change first , my speakers or my amplification .

I have a Primaluna Prologue 2 integrated feeding Reference 3a Decapo i speakers from a Granite Audio 657 CDP using the tubed side most of the time . I have rolled the input tubes on the integrated to warm things up some which helped nicely . The system is in a small 10'X11' room on the diagonal with some room treatments . The room is carpeted and my chair is overstuffed leather with a matching foot stool .

I get good tone , extension , details , resolution and PRaT but it is kind of boring ! It all sounds pretty good but I don't want to tap my toes ,bob my head or play the air guitar ! I can listen for long periods of time with ease but just don't want to . Easy to fall asleep ! I guess that I would like to increase the dynamics and musicality . I prefer tubes .

Suggestions ?

Thank you for your input .
saki70
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Consider auditioning some different speakers that would enable you to do an
in-room comparison with what you presently own.

I'd suggest trying the Zu Audio Credenza, if doing so fits into your budget.
The Credenza's frequency response is close to your 3a Decapo, but the
Credenza speakers have higher sensitivity, and they have a crossoverless, full
range driver design. Zu Audio does dynamics particularly well, IMO.

If you want to try a model with more bass (because this will surely increase
the toe tapping), then the Essence would be the model to audition.

Zu Audio speakers can be auditioned in home with a return policy since Zu
Audio has switched back to the consumer direct sales model.

I'm not suggesting the Zu speakers are better or worse than what you own,
but they will certainly be different, and it's likely you will either
identify a solution to your problem, or eliminate a possibility...and that will
be progress.
jj2468
280 posts
 
I agree with the zu recommendation. However, I recommend borrowing another good cd player first. And borrow a turntable if you can. I don't imagine the kt88 tube to be the issue.

Also, Prat roughly refers to speed of transient attack and clarity of rythm at any tempo.
trelja
3,215 posts
 
I think your loudspeakers are fine. In fact, I have often heard Reference 3A speakers to be very energetic and engaging. You've already played a bit with cabling, and that did seemed to leave you nonplussed.

My opinion on why the system does not come alive is related to the amplifier, though not the amplifier itself. Please give a quad of JJ E34L a try, and your problems might be solved right there. In my experience, comparing KT88 versus EL34 in most cases has left me feeling exactly as you do now.
saki70 OP
853 posts
 
Trelja ; as an owner of the Granite 657 , do you think that it could be the cause of any my maladies ? Feel free to pm me with your answer if you wish .
I will try the EL 34's .

Thank you .
martykl
3,563 posts
 
I'm pretty confident that your issue is the deCapo. It's a terrific speaker (I owned them for several years) that is very easy to drive, tonally neutral and wider bandwidth than cabinet size would suggest. But, but, but...big dynamic swings are the achilles heel. I feel exactly the same way about very expensive Quad ESLs, so you can hardly bitch about the deCapos given their other strengths and price tag.

I'd try to borrow a very dynamic speaker (maybe a horn loaded system) from a local dealer for an in-home audition. That should help determine what you're after.

Good Luck

Marty
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