To simply or to not simplify?

Dpod4

Dpod4

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Ok I had Jennifer of Jena Labs over to hear my system last night. Tried out some cables, spun some vinyl.

At the end I asked her to listen to my secondary system (Air Tight ATC-2 preamp and ATM-2 amp, versus reference system of arc ref 40 preamp and Constellation centaur amp). At the end of the session the feedback was both were great but (as I have concluded) the air tight is more musical. Not as resolving or big, but more musical. Btw her golden ears also appreciated the kondo SUT. Utterly amazing to listen to music and hear from a master engineer and audio legend.

So should I sell my reference system and simplify??

DP
 
ive went backward a couple times in my audio journey and had great results. i think its at first you get what you want. then you get a little wiser when getting used to the equipment and can then make smarter choices that suit you better. i sold my pre and my manleys and went to a simpler setup with amps that fit more to what i liked the best, and put a few bucks in the bank and have never been happier. and i got the same thing, more musical and enjoyable. good luck its a tough choice.
 
Would you tell us about the whole gear list including the speakers ?

Very interesting post and I've been talking about this with Mike several times. Seems like once we get older we all leaning toward to musical sounds system including myself. As Steve said it's really your choice that what you are after. Seems like Steve,Doug,Mike,Joe and I are all going to the musical sounds system lately :)
 
Hi Darrin,

I understand where you are coming from and it's a tough call. You could maximize your "secondary" system with more gear of similar flavor. I realized this with my TADs. While they laser-like precision into the music, I was not happy. I want that musicality that you are getting in the smaller system. Paul is correct. We've all been at the edge and come back.
 
joeinid said:
Hi Darrin,

I understand where you are coming from and it's a tough call. You could maximize your "secondary" system with more gear of similar flavor. I realized this with my TADs. While they laser-like precision into the music, I was not happy. I want that musicality that you are getting in the smaller system. Paul is correct. We've all been at the edge and come back.
Click to expand...
So very true.
 
Considering you have both a resolving and a musical system. It would be interesting for you to stop listening to your reference system for a period of time, say one or two months, and then listen to it again to see if you miss it. If you didn't miss it then you have your answer.

Keep us posted if you do so!
 
RedSectorA said:
Considering you have both a resolving and a musical system. It would be interesting for you to stop listening to your reference system for a period of time, say one or two months, and then listen to it again to see if you miss it. If you didn't miss it then you have your answer.

Keep us posted if you do so!
Click to expand...

Brilliant advice. I think I shall try that. I've been doing the opposite to date (only firing up secondary system from time to time)
 
What is common across both systems:
- 3 tables (innovation wood, AMG v12 and spiral groove SG 1.1)
- Magico S5
- audience power conditioning and cabling

Very happy/nothing missing with sources or speakers

Reference system:
- ARC Ref 40 preamp
- ARC REF 2SE phono preamp
- Constellation Centaur amp
- Kondo SUT

Secondary system:
- Air Tight ATM-2 amp
- Air Tight ATC-2 preamp with matching ATE-1 phono preamp that plugs right into arc-2.

There isn't anything missing or falling short in either - just different strengths.

Reference System:
- better articulation of highs and lows, more nuanced and delicate almost like an SET...like a woman whispering in my ear
- bigger force/wall of sound
- superb resolution without any etch
- consistent excellence across all recordings

Secondary system:
- midrange that seduces me like a beautiful woman
- less definition in bass but more presence
- holographic soundscape

If I sold reference system I would put the money in savings for my daughter's college (she is senior next year in high school)
 
Hi Darrin,

I first heard S1 and S5 with a Viva 37 wpc SET amp and was amazed how great they sounded. My vote goes to the Air Tight system but taking a break from the "better" system will recalibrate what you want in a system. Do do anything until you are sure but I error on the more musical side of the scale.
 
Dpod4 said:
What is common across both systems:
- 3 tables (innovation wood, AMG v12 and spiral groove SG 1.1)
- Magico S5
- audience power conditioning and cabling


Secondary system:
- Air Tight ATM-2 amp
- Air Tight ATC-2 preamp with matching ATE-1 phono preamp that plugs right into arc-2.

There isn't anything missing or falling short in either - just different strengths.



Secondary system:
- midrange that seduces me like a beautiful woman
- less definition in bass but more presence
- holographic soundscape

If I sold reference system I would put the money in savings for my daughter's college (she is senior next year in high school)
Click to expand...

That's more than enough for me to sell the first system.YMMV :D

BTW I got a check some AirTight products myself. They look beautiful. Wonder how it sounds with my speakers or Audio note speakers.
 
The sound we are looking for is oftentimes the result of our past experiences and what we perceive instruments should sound like. It is mitigated by the the recording itself, media used for replay, audio components, room acoustics, component placement and I'm certainly missing a few. So two sound systems can be useful depending on recording, type of music, etc....



110912_sy10h_tete_maison_symphonique_sn635.jpg

Interestingly I heard a concert at the Montreal Jazz Fest in a symphonic hall (Maison Symphonique hall picture attached) which started with full orchestra playing Gershwin and the sound was amazing, full, bold and dynamic. Later in the evening a jazz trio came on stage and I was left wanting more, sound wasn't lush enough, the trios energy wasn't there. Jazz trio is more often played in a smaller venue with it's own room acoustics. To me classical will often require a system which is more analytical whereas a jazz trio will be more enjoyable with a sound system which is more musical.
 
One thing first,
The synergy is better when all equipments are from the same brand and that is a plus on the secondary system
And the other one,
Sell it, the future of your daughter is more important.

At the end we love music, the equipment is only the connection to it.
And you have a secondary system that make you happy


:)
 
Dpod4 said:
What is common across both systems:
- 3 tables (innovation wood, AMG v12 and spiral groove SG 1.1)
- Magico S5
- audience power conditioning and cabling

Very happy/nothing missing with sources or speakers

Reference system:
- ARC Ref 40 preamp
- ARC REF 2SE phono preamp
- Constellation Centaur amp
- Kondo SUT

Secondary system:
- Air Tight ATM-2 amp
- Air Tight ATC-2 preamp with matching ATE-1 phono preamp that plugs right into arc-2.

There isn't anything missing or falling short in either - just different strengths.

Reference System:
- better articulation of highs and lows, more nuanced and delicate almost like an SET...like a woman whispering in my ear
- bigger force/wall of sound
- superb resolution without any etch
- consistent excellence across all recordings

Secondary system:
- midrange that seduces me like a beautiful woman
- less definition in bass but more presence
- holographic soundscape

If I sold reference system I would put the money in savings for my daughter's college (she is senior next year in high school)
Click to expand...

Obvious question, but I have to ask it: Why aren't you using an ARC amp with your ARC Ref 40? With your secondary system, you have both an Air Tight pre and power amp and surprise, surprise, you find it more musical. Your main system you went with a SS amp from a different manufacturer and you wonder why one system sounds more musical than the other. Maybe, just maybe, if you had an ARC amp in your reference system, you would be much happier.
 
mep said:
Obvious question, but I have to ask it: Why aren't using an ARC amp with your ARC Ref 40? With your secondary system, you have both an Air Tight pre and power amp and surprise, surprise, you find it more musical. Your main system you went with a SS amp from a different manufacturer and you wonder why one system sounds more musical than the other. Maybe, just maybe, if you had an ARC amp in your reference system, you would be much happier.
Click to expand...

+1
 
It would be interesting to see how a Ref 75 or Ref 150 would sound with the Ref 40 preamp. Not trying to stir the pot.
 
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