Balancing the sound

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I'm seriously considering upgrading my amplifier (CA 640A) to better match the rest of my system, which includes: Airport Express + PS3 to a Dacmagic, which in turn is connected to the 640A and onto some Dali Lektor 2s. Essentially, I just want to get all my components onto an equal level, and the 640A is letting the side down a bit.

A couple of days ago, I whacked the volume up to about 10-11 o'clock, and I noticed a distinct sibilance to the high frequencies. Even Jack Johnson sounded just a little too excited(!). I know that the Dalis can sound bright if not partnered properly, and I can't imagine the QED XT-350 speaker cable helps either (silver coated copper, I believe). When I was reading a What HiFi magazine back late last year, they were testing a NAD combo with my Dalis and it was raved about. This got me thinking that probably the best amp to get is the NAD C326BEE, because from what I gather, it's a nice warm sounding amp.

Do you guys agree with me, or have I got it all wrong?

Also, I'm tempted to replace my Qunex 1 interconnect... is the Merlin Mozart the way to go?

 

[RCduck7]

I heard the Dali's and i agree with you, i also read that NAD is warmer, so i guess it will be good.

Also, i advise you to try Arcam or a chinese brand named BADA (if you can find one for auditioning), they are know for making the pre amp section in an integrated amp with tubes and the end section solid state, best of both worlds.

Will you keep me (us) posted on your upgrade?

 

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine recently bought a fatman itube and dali lector 2 and borrowed my QED silver anniversary speaker cable. He had this for about 2 months but found the system too bright. A change to Chord cables (entry level ones but can't remember name) sorted out the brightness and made him happy. Just something else to think about.

 

[jaxwired]

The NAD 326 will make a big difference. The amp is definately warmer sounding, but still delivers the detail. Cable changes can make a difference, but they will obviously impact the system less than a new amp. My opinion is that buying the NAD amp is a good idea and will very likely make you happy. If possible, get a home demo...

 

[Anonymous]

Have you tried swapping the interconnect between the DAC and amp at
all? I know when i put a chord cobra on my system it was warm and
smooth. Completely different kit mind you. That might be worth a try
before shelling out on a new amp?

 

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for all the replies!

Right. here's my first go at quoting people. sorry if it all goes belly up..

RCduck7:

I heard the Dali's and i agree with you, i also readthat NAD is warmer, so i guess it will be good.

Also, i advise you to try Arcam or achinese brand named BADA (if you can find one for auditioning), they areknow for making the pre amp section in an integrated amp with tubes andthe end section solid state, best of both worlds.

Will you keep me (us) posted on your upgrade?

Thanks for the advice.I've never heard of BADA; the internet tells me that it's quite expensive. Ifeel a bit stupid that I didn't put a price range, but I don't really want togo over about £350. Arcam though might just be possible, if secondhand.

leenorris78:A friend of mine recently bought a fatman itubeand dali lector 2 and borrowed my QED silver anniversary speaker cable. He hadthis for about 2 months but found the system too bright. A change to Chordcables (entry level ones but can't remember name) sorted out the brightness andmade him happy. Just something else to think about.

Hmm yeah I agree thecables could change things but they were such a bargain I just couldn't letthem go. Plus, it's not just the brightness that the 640A creates, but I've gotthe feeling that it can't really keep up with the pace of my Dacmagic (if thatmakes sense, sort of..).

jaxwired:The NAD 326 will make a big difference. The ampis definately warmer sounding, but still delivers the detail. Cablechanges can make a difference, but they will obviously impact the system lessthan a new amp. My opinion is that buying the NAD amp is a good idea andwill very likely make you happy. If possible, get a home demo...

I'm liking the soundof this . I think I'll buy one and return it if I don'tlike it. One's popped up for about £230 new and I'm oh so very tempted.

Gander:Have you tried swapping the interconnect between theDAC and amp at all? I know when i put a chord cobra on my system it was warmand smooth. Completely different kit mind you. That might be worth a try beforeshelling out on a new amp?

I must say, I'm verytempted to get both a cable and a new amp. The Qunex 1 isn't spectacular,granted, but I just don't think my amp is 'delivering the goods' anymore.

EDIT: Ugh!! - I copy and pasted the text from a word document to do multiple quoting, so some words are grouped together for some reason. Sorry guys!

 

[RCduck7]

Murcielago, i calculated the price on cattylink for this amp that is recommended by many on forums including pacific valve.

http://www.cattylink.com/page352.html

The price is just about 350£ shipping included, but DHL could also charge you for exporting, this could propably go up to 50£ roughly estimated from my experince of ordering from Hong Kong.

So, it would be sadly over your budget. I understand that you set a maximum budget, still they are components with such good unbelievable quality and finish that other US or European brands would charge 3 times the price for stuff like this. A lot of things are rubbish from china but there is a lot hifi stuff that is quit the opposite.

 

[Anonymous]

It would appear that no-one has pointed out the obvious.

I had the same problem with my amplifier(s). Past 10 oclock, sound degenerates very quickly. Too much treble is a sign that this will get worse.

The actual (I know this because I've tried it) cause is the power supply inside the amplifier isn't passing enough current.

A new amp may well solve this, but it might not. It's inherant that with all commercial amplifiers - the power supply is really under-done.

My advice (seeing as you'll be getting rid of it anyway) is simple. Get hold of some (2) high-value capacitors (10000uF, 63V should do it), and solder them in the place of the ones already in. With my amp, I can push past 3 oclock before the above described problems re-appear.

If you don't want to do the soldering, most electricians will be able to do such a job easily. Just tell them you'd like the capacitors replacing, hand over the ones you bought. Sorted.

Chris

 

[the record spot]

Depends, I can turn the volume up on my current amp to easily 12 o'clock and it's fine. Loud as hell, distortion free. I leave it at that for about three seconds and then turn it back down - at 9 o'clock it's more than plenty.

Reckon the OP could check the speaker sensitivity and the amp power. Low sensitivity (82db for instance) and a low to middling amp will toil, high sensitivity makes it easier for the amp to drive. Get a pair of 88db speakers upwards or check the current speaker's drive requirements.

 

[d_a_n1979]

IMO I'd be looking down the NAD C326BEE integrated route OR if you want to save some £££ have a nosey round for a quality NAD C320BEE integrated (via eBay etc...)

I'd also be looking to change to Chord Crimson interconnects and/or Chord Carnival Siulverscreen speaker cable

 

[Anonymous]

Oooh lots of replies. Sorry for not answering back, been a hectic week lol

RCduck7 - Thanks for the reply. Yeah I'm afraid I just don't want the hassle of importing stuff, but when I next have a few quid to spend, I'll certainly check out BADA. Thank you for showing me a brand new company that does things a bit differently.

HiFiAddict - Cheers for the input. I don't really want to replace or change anything in an amplifier, but I know what you mean.

the record spot - My turning up of the volume was in one of those very rare situations where nobody else was in the house. Normally I'm at 8-9 o'clock, and even at those volumes, I just feel that my 640A can't really make the use of the Dacmagic. Plus the volume control is awful; it sort turns very slightly without doing anything and then it catches.

d_a_n1979 - Yep, I'm set on a C326BEE. In terms of interconnect, I was thinking Merlin Mozart, but if I get the amp and it's still a bit too bright, I'll definately consider the Chord route.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Murcielago:
Oooh lots of replies. Sorry for not answering back, been a hectic week lol

RCduck7 - Thanks for the reply. Yeah I'm afraid I just don't want the hassle of importing stuff, but when I next have a few quid to spend, I'll certainly check out BADA. Thank you for showing me a brand new company that does things a bit differently.

HiFiAddict - Cheers for the input. I don't really want to replace or change anything in an amplifier, but I know what you mean.

the record spot - My turning up of the volume was in one of those very rare situations where nobody else was in the house. Normally I'm at 8-9 o'clock, and even at those volumes, I just feel that my 640A can't really make the use of the Dacmagic. Plus the volume control is awful; it sort turns very slightly without doing anything and then it catches.

d_a_n1979 - Yep, I'm set on a C326BEE. In terms of interconnect, I was thinking Merlin Mozart, but if I get the amp and it's still a bit too bright, I'll definately consider the Chord route.

I have to disagree with everyone on here so far I'm afraid. Number one, the 640A is a decent match for the Dalis. Price wise, power wise and quality wise. It just sounds like you are trying to get more out of your speakers than is possible. I would suggest adding a subwoofer to your system. This would help your amp and speakers out. Alternatively, your amp and speakers both need to be upgraded. If you went down that route, you could go far worse than hunting around for a version 1 Creek Evo amp (the Creek website has them from time to time at £300 ex demos with 2 year warranty) and the Monitor Audio RS6 - you can get them for a steal at under £400 now that the RX range is out. I used to pair these two and they would blow away all the combos mentioned. I recently listened to the budget Nad amp with the Dalis and also with ATC SM11 speakers at WHF Towers and was not impressed at all.

 

[Anonymous]

Gerrardasnails - Yeah I see what you mean, but I couldn't replace the speakers as well, no cash m'afraid. Plus they're in my bedroom/office/hifi area (such is the hardship of being a student lol). I'd get lynched if I said I was going to add a sub, let alone some MA RS6s.

Maybe you are right, and the 640A is perfect for me, but I'll still have that itch. If I buy the NAD I'll make sure to do some comparisons and see if there's an improvement, or it'll be back to the shop.

 

[cheyworth]

Just a quick question,

how have you got the speakers-on stands? shelf? table?

Chris

 

[Anonymous]

Cheyworth - Hi, yeah I have them on Atacama speaker stands using spikes. My HiFi sits on an equipment rack.

 

[crusaderlord]

i think the NAD is certainly worth a try at the very least - it has a different way of presenting music compared to the CA.

i tried both the CA 640A and a NAD 320BEE for a 2nd system and much preferred the NAD with my Epos speakers. It had more punch and body to the bass and whilst the CA was detailed it was too bright and sharp for my taste.

If you fancy a change then see if the NAD works for you.

 

[RCduck7]

Murcielago, maybe you could compare the cambridge with Dali speakers to a NAD. If NAD doesn't match as good as you hoped compared to your Cambridge, then i think your Cambridge is more then ok, perhaps you should consider upgrading the power supply as mentioned by other forum members afterall.

 

[cheyworth]

You may want to take the risk and get a second hand C370 from ebay.

They are rock solid and have a much bigger reserv of power to the C326. they may be old but they will still give the newer amp's a scare. they go for £200-£250 and that will leave you £100 for cables or a good drinking session!

I did have 2 C270's and can say they are almost as good as my Arcam P25's (but a differant sound)

Chris