Hello everyone,
Not trying to be cute but that subject headline explains just the problem I am facing.
About a year ago, I decided to do a fairly extensive upgrade and went and bought the KEF Reference 1 'bookshelf' speakers and a Krell Vanguard Integrated amp with digital module. And to get even more detail, I decided to use as speaker cables the Chord Odyssey 2. Sources are an Antilla CDP via COAX, or sometimes, flac or apple lossless files via BT from a computer. (My system before was a Naim XS, and a Audiolab 8200 CDP, with Dali ikon 6s).
Anyway, here is the problem: With the Krell+Kef Ref 1 combo, I get INCREDIBLE detail and very taut bass. BUT the sound is TOO THIN/ HARSH. I listen to jazz, Rock, Pop, Latin etc. Some albums I just cant listen (Probably all the flaws of the recordings are being shown up), while in some cases, the music is just stunning, and I am thinking this is the best system in the world ever.
But in the past few days and weeks, as I was trying to listen to more music, I find this system too restrictive.
I am wondering, Is this simply a VERY bad match, the KEF Reference and Krell Vangaurd? Or is it the cables? I tried other cables I have in the house, those are modest ones like Chord Silver Screen etc, those dont give anything like the resolution of the Odyssey 2, and I feel that since I have now listened to the incredible detail available, I dont want to get LESS detail, just for the sound to be Warm. Maybe I am being unreasonable here, I dont know.
So perhaps there is a way I can keep the detail and resolution of the Odyssey 2 AND get rich, somewhat warm sound? Or is that an impossible thing to ask? Is it the cable? or is the amp and speaker mismatch? (note that I tried a few different CDPs, there were minor differences to the sound, but the same harshness.
I am really lost here and would appreciate any constructive feedback. It would be a real bonus if someone here has already listened to the Kef 1+Krell (or can listen) and let me know your thoughts.
Regards
Rick
Not trying to be cute but that subject headline explains just the problem I am facing.
About a year ago, I decided to do a fairly extensive upgrade and went and bought the KEF Reference 1 'bookshelf' speakers and a Krell Vanguard Integrated amp with digital module. And to get even more detail, I decided to use as speaker cables the Chord Odyssey 2. Sources are an Antilla CDP via COAX, or sometimes, flac or apple lossless files via BT from a computer. (My system before was a Naim XS, and a Audiolab 8200 CDP, with Dali ikon 6s).
Anyway, here is the problem: With the Krell+Kef Ref 1 combo, I get INCREDIBLE detail and very taut bass. BUT the sound is TOO THIN/ HARSH. I listen to jazz, Rock, Pop, Latin etc. Some albums I just cant listen (Probably all the flaws of the recordings are being shown up), while in some cases, the music is just stunning, and I am thinking this is the best system in the world ever.
But in the past few days and weeks, as I was trying to listen to more music, I find this system too restrictive.
I am wondering, Is this simply a VERY bad match, the KEF Reference and Krell Vangaurd? Or is it the cables? I tried other cables I have in the house, those are modest ones like Chord Silver Screen etc, those dont give anything like the resolution of the Odyssey 2, and I feel that since I have now listened to the incredible detail available, I dont want to get LESS detail, just for the sound to be Warm. Maybe I am being unreasonable here, I dont know.
So perhaps there is a way I can keep the detail and resolution of the Odyssey 2 AND get rich, somewhat warm sound? Or is that an impossible thing to ask? Is it the cable? or is the amp and speaker mismatch? (note that I tried a few different CDPs, there were minor differences to the sound, but the same harshness.
I am really lost here and would appreciate any constructive feedback. It would be a real bonus if someone here has already listened to the Kef 1+Krell (or can listen) and let me know your thoughts.
Regards
Rick