Question newbie seeking advice

[Thunderbird]

This is my first post so be gentle! I've recently just got into the world of HI FI, I've just bought my first set up buying a mixture of new and used (vintage) components :-

TECHNICS SL-D2 Turntable (used)
TECHNICS SU-V470 PXS Amplifier (used)
Q ACOUSTIC 3020i Speakers (Brand new)

Generally I'm quite happy with the setup, when playing a more mellow type of music, something like Ben Howard, the sound is to my ears very good with amazing clarity. However when I play some more heavier Rock/metal type of music i.e. Black sabbath/Alice in Chains I feel the sound is not as good and sounds a bit more muffled and muddy sounding ? I play most of my music by streaming through my laptop, Have i got a mismatch of equipment ? most reviews I've read give very positive feedback about the speakers so would changing the amp help??

 

[Backenst]

Thunderbird,

Before you worry about the speakers, which I think are fine, tell us more about your current streaming. What is the source of your streaming? Spotify? Tidal? and secondly how are you getting the music into your amplifier? The source makes a huge difference. Also, You could have some old recordings from Sabbath that were poorly recorded. Are they remastered for instance? Whereas the mellow music might be newer and better reorded.

Also if you have the ability to EQ, you could try to turn down the mid bass around 1-500hz a tad and that should help with the muddiness.

 

[Thunderbird]

Hi thanks for your reply, I'm using a RCA to 3.5mm jack which i plug into my laptops headphone output socket, I'm currently experimenting with different streaming services, currently using Amazon Music, I don't think there is anyway to alter the EQ settings from the source device, my amp has Bass/Treble & balance adjustments, most of the albums./songs that I've been listening to have been remixed or remastered, i recently listened to Let it Bleed by the the Rolling stones and this sounded fantastic, it seems to be the more heavier music that sounds flat/muddy?

 

[Fidelity dom]

Do you tend to crank the volume up when listening to Rock & Metal? Your amp is 45 watts into 8 ohms & speakers are 6 ohm rated with a minimum 4 ohm rating. I would guess that if you like to crank the volume the amp may be struggling to get the best from the speakers. The room may also be having an impact on base, always worth having a play around with speaker positioning, moving your speakers out a bit if they are close to the walls & ensuring they are on decent quality stands may all help. Try all the free stuff first like speaker position, moving furniture etc if the issue is still present then look to equipment.

 

[Messiah]

I'm using a RCA to 3.5mm jack which i plug into my laptops headphone output socket.

Personally, I have always found this to be one of the poorest sounding connections.

Might be worth considering a dedicated streamer. They do not have to be expensive. The Wiim products always seem to get good feedback.

However, I would also check the Amazon Music streaming settings. I've not used it personally but imagine it's similar to Spotify and there are settings for the audio quality. Just make sure it is at the higher setting.

Also, do you use the turntable? Would be interesting to play some vinyl and then play the same tracks via Amazon Music to see how it compares.

 

[Backenst]

I agree with everything the other posters just added, the biggest of which is you have to ditch the 3.55 audio jack you are using. That is the worst type of connection for sound quality. You want rCA left right analogue or digital in depending on what you are doing. Secondly you need to move to some type of streamer that by passes the PCs sound card, that is probably your second biggest problem. And while you do enjoy the Ben Howard type music, wait till you hear it with the proper connection into your amp. so now what? this opens a gag of worms that can get you where many of us ended up, thousands of dollars into this hobby and still searching for better and better. And it does get better and better. But one always longs for more.

If I were you, I would go with suggestion you heard above withe the Wim Streamer which is great entry level, and I promise it will sound better. A lot better.

Lots of streamers out there and Wim even has less expensive ones for you to consider but here is one that I think would be killer for your system. start here and depending on budget you can go up or down. Pretty sure Wiim does Amazon music. outstanding interface as well.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_399WIIMPPL/WiiM-Pro-Plus.html

When you listen to Sabath Bloody Sabath on this new system you will scream. No need for a new amp or speakers. For Now, in 3 years you will be ten grand into this.,. Sorry....

Anyway congratulations, you asked the right questions and now have started on an incredible journey.

 

[Backenst]

Another quick note, you have several suggestions above all of which are good. Make sure you're using Amazon HD for your output. As you said you are doing remastered which is good, most times. Finally, when your digital sounds better than your albums, I believe you are getting there. That is until you buy a then thousand-dollar turntable with an equally expensive cartridge........

 

[nopiano]

How are the speakers placed? Are they on the dedicated stands? A picture might be informative.

Welcome to the forum. I have a pair of QA 3020i so I know they can sound great, but they need a good support and preferably not in a corner or backed onto a wall.

 

[Freddy58]

Just my opinion. Rock/metal always sounds muddy, it’s how it is. If you want sparkle/clarity, rock/metal won’t float your boat.