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Post by MartinT on Jul 12, 2016 7:51:00 GMT
Thanks, Mike, but I've heard them and they're good. I need to hear them in my system with familiar material, though, especially classical.
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Post by jandl100 on Jul 13, 2016 6:22:38 GMT
I'm trying to buy a used Crown pro amp in order to make some comparisons. There is no doubting the Belles' credentials, but I sometimes miss the almost limitless headroom of the Chord. I want to compare them so that I can check whether certain effects I'm hearing are the Belles running out of steam or just odd room effects. Strangely (or perhaps not) I notice the possible limitations much more in classical than in rock. Massed choral music puts a strain on hi-fi systems like nothing else I know. Well, my experience of the Crown XLS1500 amp is that it does not sound like its power spec would suggest. Despite its 300wpc 8 ohm rating it fell well short of the majestic sweep available from my old Parasound A21 220wpc amp, for example, and your Chord. It didn't have the overall sound quality, either, in terms of rez, soundstaging, tonality, in-room presence, transparency and sheer believability. Basically (unlike some other bargain amps out there) it sounded like what it is, a fairly cheap amp. I think you need to look elsewhere to regain the 'Chord oomph', Martin. Based on my experience with my MBLs and a friend's Apogee Duetta ribbons, the Crown won't test what you hope it will! |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 13, 2016 9:26:15 GMT
Thanks, Jerry, that helps. I'm not looking to replace the Belles, only to prove a nagging doubt. If the Crown won't reveal it one way or the other, then I'll need to look elsewhere for inexpensive big Watts to try things out.
I was impressed with a Carvin pro amp a few years ago.
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ynwan
Rank: Trio
Posts: 185 
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Post by ynwan on Jul 13, 2016 9:59:32 GMT
Martin, so what exactly is the problem you think could be power amp related? Is it a congestion/blurring of choral voices at higher volume levels? If so, I'm not saying it isn't power amp related but it could also be a room reflection issue or the crossover coils saturating.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 13, 2016 10:29:12 GMT
Martin, so what exactly is the problem you think could be power amp related? Is it a congestion/blurring of choral voices at higher volume levels? If so, I'm not saying it isn't power amp related but it could also be a room reflection issue or the crossover coils saturating. Yes, it's the choral voices becoming congested and unpleasant at realistic (high) volumes. Agreed, it could be power amp or room related, possibly crossover or drivers but less likely. I really want to just swap in something with a lot of power to eliminate the Belles as the problem. If it isn't, then big sigh of relief and I'll wait until I have a new room to play with soon. |
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 13, 2016 13:24:59 GMT
I am confused.
You haven't changed your room recently and you apparently didn't have this problem before.
You have changed your amp and now you have the problem. Why would you think the room might be a problem all of a sudden?
Or perhaps it's the 'For Sale' sign in the front garden resonating?!
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 13, 2016 14:08:28 GMT
Martin,
I used to have a very similar issue with classical music where there were huge orchestral climaxes and dynamic swings. You just don't get the same issues with dynamic range in rock music.
The climaxes were never smoothly reproduced and sounded strained - in my system I needed more power from my amp and consequently changed it.
The best test lp for this I found was Decca SXL6000, Spartacus, that I brought round to you once.
Of course we can't be sure it's the same thing but I think you are doing the right thing in testing out the system with a meatier amp, just to see if this is the issue or not.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 13, 2016 14:18:47 GMT
I am confused. You haven't changed your room recently and you apparently didn't have this problem before. You have changed your amp and now you have the problem. Why would you think the room might be a problem all of a sudden? Sorry if I didn't explain it well. I am noticing the issue more but the very clean nature of the sound means I am playing it louder than before. The particular Telarc recording has a huge dynamic range and it's tempting to turn the wick up. Therefore it could be a) amp running out of power, b) room getting more excited or c) drivers and/or crossover getting over-driven. In order to eliminate the amp, I just want to compare with a more powerful one, I'll soon know if that helps it or not even if the SQ is a little different. |
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ynwan
Rank: Trio
Posts: 185
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Post by ynwan on Jul 13, 2016 15:57:55 GMT
The pro amp I use on my bass drivers is 300 WPC into 8 Ohms and 600 into 4; it has LED indicators that flash if driven into clipping ( Lab.gruppen IPD1200).
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 13, 2016 16:29:33 GMT
Martin
You are welcome to pop in and borrow my Chord.
It is currently sitting idle and will be for sale soon.
Have an Ultimate with Chord IEC attached
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Post by MartinT on Jul 13, 2016 20:22:42 GMT
Thanks, Mike. I may do that although familiarity with the Chord may just make this more difficult!
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Post by MartinT on Jul 13, 2016 20:23:19 GMT
The pro amp I use on my bass drivers is 300 WPC into 8 Ohms and 600 into 4; it has LED indicators that flash if driven into clipping ( Lab.gruppen IPD1200). I was looking for a Lab Gruppen but they're pretty pricy! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 13, 2016 20:47:19 GMT
Go for as much data as possible
Bear in mind my Chord just has a new PSU and service so could give the Belles a run for the money
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Post by MartinT on Jul 13, 2016 20:49:44 GMT
Right-o!
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