Arcam AVR280 (I know the Arcam's an AV receiver, but this
relates to music),Cyrus CD6s,
KEF IQ9,
Chord Carnival Silver Plus
Chord Crimson.
The KEF's are the fronts of a cinema set up. For music they
are bi-amped using the spare channels on the Arcam via "stereo
direct" mode. All the power supplies go through a mains conditioner.
I chose this equipment to provide me good performance for
both music and movies. For movies, the performance is great, stunning in fact.
But for music, it just sounds rubbish. I've been putting up with it for a year
almost, variously wondering whether the components needed running in to whether
my ears are off ! The problems are:-
Lack of separation in instruments
A feeling that the music is almost "behind" the speakers
Splashy and incoherent
No width to the soundstage
No punch - the music sounds flabby and uncontrolled
When I auditioned this stuff, it took my breath away. But I
cannot get anywhere near the demo room performance. And it's not as if I've
skimped on the set-up or components. I've checked the setup over and over, and
I'm sure it’s right. The only thing I have left to try is to anchor the
speakers better. The spikes on the KEF's don’t penetrate right through the
carpet-underlay-insulation so are floating a bit. My dealer has suggested that
I get some bespoke granite or marble bases and anchor the KEF's to these. Or is
it a fundamental limitation with the Arcam (I'm assuming the Cyrus is
blameless) and I ought to think about separate amplification for music, and
maybe speakers ? For what I’ve spent though, shouldn’t I expect a better level
of performance ?
Anyone any ideas ? Frankly, I get a better experience form
my IPod and from my in car system. It's driving me nuts.
Would appreciate any help or advice
relates to music),Cyrus CD6s,
KEF IQ9,
Chord Carnival Silver Plus
Chord Crimson.
The KEF's are the fronts of a cinema set up. For music they
are bi-amped using the spare channels on the Arcam via "stereo
direct" mode. All the power supplies go through a mains conditioner.
I chose this equipment to provide me good performance for
both music and movies. For movies, the performance is great, stunning in fact.
But for music, it just sounds rubbish. I've been putting up with it for a year
almost, variously wondering whether the components needed running in to whether
my ears are off ! The problems are:-
Lack of separation in instruments
A feeling that the music is almost "behind" the speakers
Splashy and incoherent
No width to the soundstage
No punch - the music sounds flabby and uncontrolled
When I auditioned this stuff, it took my breath away. But I
cannot get anywhere near the demo room performance. And it's not as if I've
skimped on the set-up or components. I've checked the setup over and over, and
I'm sure it’s right. The only thing I have left to try is to anchor the
speakers better. The spikes on the KEF's don’t penetrate right through the
carpet-underlay-insulation so are floating a bit. My dealer has suggested that
I get some bespoke granite or marble bases and anchor the KEF's to these. Or is
it a fundamental limitation with the Arcam (I'm assuming the Cyrus is
blameless) and I ought to think about separate amplification for music, and
maybe speakers ? For what I’ve spent though, shouldn’t I expect a better level
of performance ?
Anyone any ideas ? Frankly, I get a better experience form
my IPod and from my in car system. It's driving me nuts.
Would appreciate any help or advice
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