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Effortless, grain-free sound - is it possible?

I'm starting to wonder if I'm searching for the impossible. I sold my former system (built around MG 3.6R speakers, Bryston electronics, Delphi turntable) in search of a simpler, purer, less "hi-fi" sound. I bought Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor speakers, a Cary SLI-80 Signature F1 integrated amp, Nordost "Blue heaven" cables, and I'm now searching for a new CD player (still using my Parasound CD/P 2000). I'm leaning toward the new Cary 306 SACD. I listen mostly to opera, piano music, and some jazz (with a smattering of other things).

Opera is a brutal test for equipment, as we all know. An orchestral crescendo with a soprano singing at full tilt will test any system. We've all heard our systems turn to mush at such times. Piano music, at volume, will also separate the men from the boys. My new sytem, while it has many virtues, is not cutting it in this department. It seems to fall down hard when the going gets tough. I'm trying to figure out if what I'm hearing is a function of what I've grown used to with the old system, or if it is CD player related, or if the SLI 80 is running out of gas, or if these little speakers really can't play as loudly as advertised, or what. I also think it may be that most of my listening before was on the Delphi (LPs), while now I have only CDs to listen to.

For example, the first Act of Verdi's Otello is rich with wonderful orchestration and massive coral passages. I have a mid-70s Angel recording on LP (Glossop, Freni), the sound of which I have always greatly prefered to any CD. The loud passages just seem to stay together better and the whole thing seems richer, fully, and . . . well . . more like music. The horn blasts, the concussive effect of drums, etc all seems much better. I can't test this on my current system because I'm without a turntable now. Will my problems lessen when I go back to LPs? Am I now hearing problems with the CD format, or am I just expecting something from my current gear that it just can't deliver?

Thoughts and comments would be much appreciated.

Msmcelwee

msmcelwee
herman
1,974 posts
 
89 Db and 4 ohms is not exactly inefficent, is it?


In my 103dB 8ohm world it is very inefficient. You are going to need a lot of current to get these speakers going and I doubt 80 watts from a tube amp is enough to do what you want. Your speakers are barely more efficient than the 3.6's which are notorious for demanding very powerful amps to get them going.

Come on over to the dark side. get some high efficiency speakers and an SET amp. You will never go back.
plato
1,543 posts
 
It's also possible that something is overloading or not performing correctly, especially if you're playing at relatively low levels. Substituting other gear like a CD player or amp might tell you this.

89dB/watt is not that inefficient, but for small speakers in your room, it's never going to have authority in the low registers of the piano, though it might do fine on vocals with the right amplification... Offhand, I don't know the specs on your electronics, but it's even plausible that your CD player's output could be overloading your amps input stage. Let us know how you make out.
porziob
316 posts
 
You need an amp with bigger b*lls.
philefreak
416 posts
 
More amp! A Channel Island D-200 should do the trick. 89 DB @4 ohm is not extactly a lite load. It's not the 89db part so much as the 4 ohm part especially with a tube amp!
msmcelwee OP
7 posts
 
FWIW, I now have the Cary 303-300 and I've adjusted the speaker placement per the Cardas web site. I also have several more hours of break in on the speakers and the integrated amp. Results: Much better. Most of the glare is gradually disappearing. Moving the speakers to exactly the spot recommended by Cardas had a marked effect. Sounding quite beautiful actually. I'm somewhat shocked by how low the SF Cremona Auditors will go without a sub. I'm going to get a sub mind you, but the speakers really are little marvels. Thanks to all for the comments. MMC
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