What should I do with my mediocre sounding setup !

[marX]

Hi

I'm currently using my PC as a source which goes like these
Xonar DX>DIY amp based on LM3886 (sourced from diyaudiocart @bibin3210)>Magnat Monitor Supreme 1000 floorstanders.

I like slightly bright type of sound and my current setup is anything but. Also, I can't hear any bass but I can feel the floor vibrating.
When I had a demo with a Monitor Audio system, I remember the feeling like somebody punching at my chest during the bass heavy moments of songs. I could never get that kind of an experience from my system.

NOW, I have some 20k with me now and I can raise around the same amount next month because of a postponed TV buy and am wondering what to do with it.

I'm really confused on what to get.
1. A good pre-amp coz I don't have a good quality one OR
2. A good integrated integrated amp like the Cambridge Audio 550 OR
3. New speakers like Boston Accoustics A250

So, what you guys recommend ?
Which do you think is the weakest link in my chain that I need to upgrade first ?
BTW, budget is flexible to may be 55k (next month).

Thanks for reading !

 

[Ambio]

Hi,

Chest thumping bass is what you are looking for. Go back to the place where you first experience the feeling and take note of the speakers, amplifiers, your listening distance, room size and the overall loudness level.

Then compare them with your system. Chest thumping bass is bit tricky as sometimes the room node may just suck out the relevant frequencies. You can just add a subwoofer but if your are looking for overall sound quality it is a slow process subject to your listening environment.

 

[cyber_cat]

When you demo-ed Monitor Audio system was the room treated ?

Post your setup/room pic.

Unless you treat your room unlikely you will hear bass thumps since it will be cancelling out.

Cheers

 

[dheerajin]

Your speakers are alright. Difference is there in amps. The amp you used to see demo was different with some other sound signature than your present one. So obviously difference in sound will be there.Take a different amp on loan from friend to check out. Actually your current amp is not supplying enough current to support bass.

Look out for used amp which shall suit your budget and will keep you satisfied for longer duration rather than buying a new one. Buy Integrated amp not pre- power combo.

 

[koushik]

When you demo-ed Monitor Audio system was the room treated ?

Post your setup/room pic.

Unless you treat your room unlikely you will hear bass thumps since it will be cancelling out.

Cheers

+1

I would recommend the same to you. Treat your room with glasswool for 3-5k INR and that should bring up the bass in the room. Play with the polarity of the speakers. Out of phase may cancel out waves with larger wavelengths aka bass.

- How big is your room? Have you worked around different portion of the room while the music is playing? Do you feel amount bass changing in different position of the room?

- What is the gauge of speaker wire? Make sure it is thick enough.

Problem can be anywhere and everywhere. We have to identify and treat accordingly. Spending money and changing gear is the easiest thing one can do, so hold on that idea for the time being.

 

[koushik]

...Buy Integrated amp not pre- power combo.

Why not, Dheeraj? I saw you recommending this few time in the forum. So just curious.
AFAIK best of the amps that are made are all standalone power amp and same for pre.

 

[dheerajin]

Why not, Dheeraj? I saw you recommending this few time in the forum. So just curious.
AFAIK best of the amps that are made are all standalone power amp and same for pre.

Kaushik..please see the budget of OP..in this budget good integrated amps available than pre- power combo..and there are few other parameters...
I dont suggest OP to do the room treatment without listening it with other amps on loan from friends.

 

[koushik]

Kaushik..please see the budget of OP..in this budget good integrated amps available than pre- power combo..and there are few other parameters...
I dont suggest OP to do the room treatment without listening it with other amps on loan from friends.

That nails it, no further discussion needed on this (pre-power/int.)

Yes, listening with loan Amp is indeed a very good idea.

The reason I ask for room treat is by my experience. I have experience in audio setup in 4-5 different rooms with the same gear. Every room in our normal house will get definitely benefited by acoustic treatment - no doubt about that. Its just can't sound close to the potential of the exiting gears without treatment. And once you treat your room, it is really an eye opener.

 

[dheerajin]

That nails it, no further discussion needed on this (pre-power/int.)

Yes, listening with loan Amp is indeed a very good idea.

The reason I ask for room treat is by my experience. I have experience in audio setup in 4-5 different rooms with the same gear. Every room in our normal house will get definitely benefited by acoustic treatment - no doubt about that. Its just can't sound close to the potential of the exiting gears without treatment. And once you treat your room, it is really an eye opener.

Yes..thats true..room treatment is eye opener...and i too wish to have a dedicated listening room by buying a new house with my existing gears...
And this sounds same what you said..

But the thing is- bigger portion of the sound quotient is quiet evident in the first play of the system whichever kind of room you play.
My listening area is living room, which is not at all treated.With 2 pre amps and three integrated amps, I can say that room treatment is part of microdynamics , which when done can bring good results but can not change sound quotient of amps.
My friend is having focal speakers and Denon amp. He took my yamaha amp on loan and there was big improvement in Bass area because yamaha could support the high current requirement of Bass in that speakers.So thats why i suggested to go for amp experiment on loan.

 

[marX]

Thanks guys for the quick response.
I'll be posting a detailed reply later when I can get to my pc.
Currently, I'm on my mobile, so, I'm gonna be short.

1. Yes, the demo room was treated. The speakers were Bx2 (?) monitors and their floor standing versions (forgot the model name). The latter was absolutely phenomenal.
Amp used was Marantz 5004 or something.

2. Room treatment. I'll be doing some research on it.

3. Switching amps is gonna be a pita. The only Hi-Fi aquintance I have in my area is our hifivision member bibin3210. I have been to his place multiple times but I recall his amp is a class A behemoth. It's huge.
All of my friends have crappy creative or zebronics 2.1 speakers attached to their pc. My uncles have some hifi stuff but they are all big av receivers and very costly. Not gonna borrow it from them for obvious reasons lol

 

[marX]

About my Av room:
It's on the upper floor of our house. One side, is open (staircase) the other side have two doors.
The front and back of the room have a pair of two panel windows while the front portion have a big door right in between the windows.

 

[hemantwaghe]

if you are looking for low cost powerful amplifier / power amplifier I have one Pulz for sale ...Can be yours for Rs 10 K shipped

 

[manoj.p]

You can't hear bass but the floor is shaking? And the system does not sound bright even when there is no bass? I would also suggest checking the polarity first.

Then walk around the room, especially near the speakers. Do you hear bass change as you walk around? If you do, then you are probably seating in wave cancellation area.

Your speakers go as low as 19 Hz. So, they should produce enough bass. If the polarity and cancellation is not a culprit, then see if you can borrow a powerful amp and try.

 

[sarith]

I would also suggest checking the polarity first.

If the polarity and cancellation is not a culprit, then see if you can borrow a powerful amp and try.

+1 to that

 

[dheerajin]

OP your speaker has dynamic impedence ogf 4-8 ohm and these magnat speakers need high current amp, because these speakers are designed according to high current amp and your current amp is basically designed for 8 ohm speakers...

 

[marX]

You can't hear bass but the floor is shaking? And the system does not sound bright even when there is no bass? I would also suggest checking the polarity first.

Then walk around the room, especially near the speakers. Do you hear bass change as you walk around? If you do, then you are probably seating in wave cancellation area.

Your speakers go as low as 19 Hz. So, they should produce enough bass. If the polarity and cancellation is not a culprit, then see if you can borrow a powerful amp and try.

+1 to that

OK, I'll check the polarity and report back.

OP your speaker has dynamic impedence ogf 4-8 ohm and these magnat speakers need high current amp, because these speakers are designed according to high current amp and your current amp is basically designed for 8 ohm speakers...

Yeah, when I measured the resistance, its showing 5.6 Ohm. Thats because the bass section have two 8 ohm 6" woofers connected in parallel or something like that.