At the age of 22, I have caught the audio bug. So here I am with my first attempt at so called Hi-Fidelity. As a medical student with limited time and resources, putting together a "high end" system is rather challenging. Rather than going with lower end current components that I could afford, I decided to pick up older pieces that were once considered "All stars" but have since become quite affortable due to age. Most of my components were picked up on E-Bay or here at Audiogon. As an introduction to hopefully a life long passion,it has been quite fun so far putting together my system.
When I first started my quest, I decided to create a system with split duties between home theater and music. At the time, I wasn't as interested in music as I am today. So I picked up a Marantz receiver (SR7200), Denon DVD player (DVD 900) and some Wharfedale speakers (Emerald 97 MKIV). The sound I got from this setup was okay at best. Imaging with the wharfedales was pretty good but the dynamic range and clarity of the music were pretty poor. I felt that the music was muffled comming out of the speakers, especially the trebble and upper-midrange frequencies. Watching movies with my system was fine, but listening to music wasn't as involving as I wanted it to be. I decided I needed to upgrade and move away from HT.
After looking around and timely bidding on Ebay, I have assembled my current system.
What I noticed immediately with my setup compared to my HT/Music rig was the expansion of the sound stage and significantly improved imaging. Low level details and vocal elements that were once muffled by the crammed sound stage are now audible and discernable in space. The dynamic range expanded as well, with the highs being better defined without being harsh.
I must say the two biggest sonic improvements were made when I picked up the KEF 103/4 speakers and the polyfusion 800 DAC. With the KEF's, the gains in imaging and sound staging were realized while the polyfusion provided improved low level details and created a very musical and warmer sound.
With each new component or upgrade, I am able to hear new things in the recording that I couldn't hear in the past. I am looking forward to upgrading my system and taking it to newer levels of sonic excellence.
I will post pictues or my system in the near future. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions. Let us all enjoy the magic of good music...
System edited: First steps to major system upgrade. I added a Musical Design SP-2 tube preamp as the line stage for my digital front end.(Previously I used line direct into my power amp) My first impressions showed improved sound stage width and depth. Musical instruments on certain CDs now extended beyond the speakers into the side walls! This was a very pleasing surprise for me. In addition, adding tubes to my equipment chain added more "warmth" and emotion to my CD playback. The midrange is very smooth indeed. So far so good...I'll keep everyone posted after I get a chance for more critical listening.
I actually have a photo of my system before the KEFs departed in my virtual system. As you can see, I had it away from side wall, back wall as well as the floor. I didn't toe in the speakers at all. Also note that I sat in middle of the room.
Thanks for the advice, I'll look into PC upgrades for my digital gear in the near future. I am amazed at how much proper power management can improve the sound of digital playback. As for the KEF's, its so true that placement is critical. I have been playing around with them for the past month trying to get the perfect combination of soundstagging and image focus. I know that the situations are different, but how did you finally place the speakers? I am not sure if I should use toe in or not. As to UCR, you are correct with Riverside. That is where I went to college. I have since moved on to Toledo, Ohio for more school. Thanks, Peter
I had the same speakers you had for the longest time. While they were in my system, I found them to be the most nit picky in regards to placement. Anything that was within a 3 feet vicinity of the speaker would cause a collapse in soundstage and bass response. Yet, they were good enough for me to keep for almost 10 years.
If you still have some digital harshness, I suggest you get some good powercords for your dac and transport. Whichever one you go with, just go with the one with the largest gauge and purest conductors. If UCR in your username stands for riverside, then I probably don't think shielding will be a big deal to you. I am around the same area and never pick up anything with my unshielded cables.
System edited: Switched my interconnects from Nordost Black Knight to Transparant Audio MusicLink ML1 between my DAC and AMP. I decided to switch to a darker cable to complement the rest of my system. The Black Knights are very detailed and transparant but tended to be on the "bright" side. I have found that the MusicLink are "warmer" and produced more low frequency energy. So far it has been a nice change. I am not sure if I would stick with the MusicLink over the Nordost yet. I will need more time to evaluate the merits of both before deciding.
System edited: Upgraded digital front end from my old trusty Kinergetics KCD-30 to EAD T-1000 transport. I am using ST optical out into a polyfusion 800 DAC. With the EAD, the soundstage increased in dimensions both depthwise and lengthwise. The vocals are less forward and better integrated with the background music. The overall sound is much smoother and less grainy, especially on CDs with bright treble. For me, the EAD excells in vocal pieces, Jazz and small classical ensambles. Liquid midrange smoothness and strong defined bass are its strengths, while reduced extension in the upper most trebble frequency is the EAD's main weakness (Although not for me, but perhaps for someone that enjoys the last bit of detail in the upper ranges). Overall, the EAD fits well into my system and suits my listening tastes very well.
System edited: System Edited: Added the Tice Audio Microblock as a dedicated power conditioner for my digital front end. Before using the Tice, I was skeptical on the benifits of power conditioning. Having owned the PAC Super IDOS for over 6 months, I did not notice much improvements in sound quality, maybe the background noise was lower with the PAC, but I wasn't too impressed with the hype over power conditioning. This was until I added the Microblock. Immediately I noticed 3 important improvements in the sound of my system: The most drastic was the reduction of high frequency harshness. Before, digital harshness plagued my system, on certain CDs, the ear-bleed was so bad that I would turn off the sound after only about 30 minutes of listening. But now with better power conditioning, the digital harshness is 90% gone and I am able to enjoy the music for hours without fatigue. In addition to reducing the high frequency funk, the sound stage expanded as well and a darker musical background was achieved. All of the improvements made music listening enjoyable again. From my experience, I now understand why power conditioning is so important especially for digital gear.
I wanted to know if anyone has used the Genesis Digital Lens in between their transport and DAC. Do you think this upgrade is worthwhile in my system? I am looking add a new component in the near future, either a newer transport or the Lens. I am looking at the EAD T-1000 or the Theta Pearl as the transport choices. Maybe another recommendation in the $600 used range also... For anyone with more experience in digital audio, I would like to know if upgrading the transport or adding an anti-jitter device will yield greater gains in improvement. Thanks, Peter
Great job, the old Kef's are great speakers and I'm sure still hold their own even today. The Kef and Snell speaker line of that day were two of my favorites.
