You are the weakest link.......
Discussion
Where does my system fail?
Rega Jura speakers
Exposure XX amp, the push button version.
Cambridge DAC Majic II / Musical Fidelity X-Dac 24/96
Pioneer PDS 902 / HP PC, can't remember the sound card, Xondar i thin the one with swappable op-amps, though not tried it as i use external DAC. Also got a Squeezbox but been less than impressed with it.
Just not enjoying it.
On some tracks that are really well recorded yes but in general no.
Room is probably biggest issue, hard floor with very large rug, many openings and large windows, typical 70's style room. Impulse response is terrible.
Tucked away also have an REL Q-Bass, which never seemed to gel in the room.
Rega Jura speakers
Exposure XX amp, the push button version.
Cambridge DAC Majic II / Musical Fidelity X-Dac 24/96
Pioneer PDS 902 / HP PC, can't remember the sound card, Xondar i thin the one with swappable op-amps, though not tried it as i use external DAC. Also got a Squeezbox but been less than impressed with it.
Just not enjoying it.
On some tracks that are really well recorded yes but in general no.
Room is probably biggest issue, hard floor with very large rug, many openings and large windows, typical 70's style room. Impulse response is terrible.
Tucked away also have an REL Q-Bass, which never seemed to gel in the room.
For a while I had a pair of Rega RS1 speakers with my Exposure VII / VIII. With the right record it sounded incredible, the best I've ever heard some tracks sound. However most of the time it sounded rather ordinary, and with some CDs it was almost unlistenable. An upgrade to a set of ProAc Studio 115s sorted things out nicely.
I've never heard Rega Juras, and of course they will be different from the RS1s, but assuming there is some sort of "house sound" it might be a good place to start.
I've never heard Rega Juras, and of course they will be different from the RS1s, but assuming there is some sort of "house sound" it might be a good place to start.
The room, speaker placement in the room and your listening position are far bigger influences on the system's sound balance than any of your components. Try moving the speaker position(s) relative to side and rear walls to see if it improves low frequency balance; if the issues are near the higher vocal range & crossover area then you could tilt the speakers back slightly which might improve driver phase integration where you sit. If the sound is too bright you could toe the speakers in more than usual, this will mean you are slightly to the side of the main tweeter axis and will receive less HF. Increased toe in also reduces the reflected energy from side walls which is almost always a good thing.
If you've not done it already make sure the Rega's drive units are tightened up properly and the that the floor spikes are perfectly level and tight as well.
This freeware http://www.artalabs.hr/ fed by one of these http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/... via one of these http://www.gak.co.uk/en/tascam-us122-mkii/29799?gc... is less than 110 quid and will allow you accurately measure what your system is doing in room and should let you see the effects of the suggestions above. Hope you achieve the sound your looking for. Dave.
If you've not done it already make sure the Rega's drive units are tightened up properly and the that the floor spikes are perfectly level and tight as well.
This freeware http://www.artalabs.hr/ fed by one of these http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/... via one of these http://www.gak.co.uk/en/tascam-us122-mkii/29799?gc... is less than 110 quid and will allow you accurately measure what your system is doing in room and should let you see the effects of the suggestions above. Hope you achieve the sound your looking for. Dave.
Edited by Crackie on Thursday 7th February 21:42
Problem solved, ripped everything out on Sunday, reconnected everything back up after juggling the rack round. Vortex box now feeding the X-Dac not the Cambridge.
Night and day difference, wasn't using the X-Dac as the connection was USB before i upgraded the sound card. Strangely it doesn't seem to work on 24/96. All light up and identifies it correctly but sound is very quite and chronically distorted. Only have a couple of 24/96 so not a huge concern.
Cambridge is now just doing the TV and video streaming. Though i might be tempted to go and buy and new soundcard for that too and scrap the USB.
Just disconnecting and reconnecting makes a difference of course too.
Night and day difference, wasn't using the X-Dac as the connection was USB before i upgraded the sound card. Strangely it doesn't seem to work on 24/96. All light up and identifies it correctly but sound is very quite and chronically distorted. Only have a couple of 24/96 so not a huge concern.
Cambridge is now just doing the TV and video streaming. Though i might be tempted to go and buy and new soundcard for that too and scrap the USB.
Just disconnecting and reconnecting makes a difference of course too.
Happy again with what i have, going to get some heavyweight plinths made for the Regas though.
Actually thinking about marketing them, heavy chunk of steel, drilled to match your speakers. Too many tiny small footprint lightweight speaker on the market that could be dramatically improved by mass loaded bases.
Used to be made for the awesome Royd Minstrels, cost around £40 and really transformed the sound. One of 2 items i deeply regret selling along with the Ion Systems amp.
Truly amazing products.
Actually thinking about marketing them, heavy chunk of steel, drilled to match your speakers. Too many tiny small footprint lightweight speaker on the market that could be dramatically improved by mass loaded bases.
Used to be made for the awesome Royd Minstrels, cost around £40 and really transformed the sound. One of 2 items i deeply regret selling along with the Ion Systems amp.
Truly amazing products.
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