Help with Nad/Tannoy system

[square-eyes-baz]

Hi, my setup includes :

Amp = Nad C320BEE
CD = Nad C521i
Speakers = Tannoy 636
Turntable = Technics SL-BD22D

I find the treble quite "subdued" . Im wondering if its the CDplayer or the speaker cable. The interconnect is Eagle, all I know is it was a big improvement on the QED I had before. The speaker cable is QED original bi-wired. Would it help to use ,maybe,Silver Anniversary for the treble connection? Out of curiousity ,how would ,say,a Marantz player compare?
Also ,there is severe humming through the speakers when using the turntable. I should add that Im using a cheap(make unknown) phono pre-amp that was given to me. I have no idea of its compatability with MM or MC,there is also no earth/ground connection on it.
Any ideas appreciated guys
Baz

 

[deaf cat]

I found Nordost cables gave quite, forward / agressive treble in my system.
Thing is, to try and borrow the cable your thinking may help just in case you don't like it.

sorry, know nothing about TT's

 

[Nobber22]

Well, I would suggest getting a better phono amp to start with. This will immediatly tell you if the CD player is the component giving the treble a closed-in feeling. If it isn't, then move onto speaker cable.

However can I ask if you have experimented with positioning of the Tannoys? Room boundaries can really affect speakers and a few feet of movement can make dramatic improvements.

The NADs are both warm-sounding bits of kit and together with the Tannoys (which I will admit I've never heard the 636s), may be the reason you feel the top-end is subdued. A new set of speakers with a metal tweeter and a brighter top-end may be a good option.

 

[square-eyes-baz]

Hi, Im a bit fixed with speaker positioning so i cant do too much there. Due to a big holiday coming up a new set of speakers is out the window as well
.
Heres what 636 looks like-

Ill have go at the phono stage -did see a PP2 on Ebay, Ive just re read your post Nobber and realised you said "youve never heard 636s" not "Ive never of 636s" doh. Cheers

 

[Nobber22]

Actually Baz I had to do a bit of searching for the Tannoys before I found them on a German site.

This presented a bit of a problem when I tried to find out the specs - they look like a fairly beefy set of speakers. Is your NAD up to the job? What are the 636s sensitivity rating and ohm rating?

 

[square-eyes-baz]

Sorry, dont remember their sensitivity - pretty sure they are 6 ohm ,200 watt though. Regarding the NAD s ability -found this on the net :
2 x 50W Minimum Continuous Power into 4 / 8 ohms
110W, 160W, 210W, IHF Dynamic power into 8, 4 and 2 ohms, respectively
so Im guessing the amp should be ok.

 

[Nobber22]

Yup - should be fine. Tannoys are usually a pretty easy load.

 

[overkill]

The 636's are 6ohm impedence, but the sensitivity is 90, so they are pretty easy to drive. I'm surprised the treble sounds 'subdued' as these are dual concentrics and the treble and mid is well focused as a result. The only thing with these is, that they could sound a little 'bass heavy', in particular in a tight listening space.

Maybe the bass is too forward and overwhelming everything rather than the treble recessed?

The NAD amp should be able to drive these, but, and here it comes, Tannoy speakers are quite 'rich' or 'warm' sounding and as such will exacerbate that same tendency in the NAD gear. I doubt tbh, you will hear much change without trying another CD player or Amp. The Tannoys I've used tend to go better with slightly more 'forward' amplifiers. I tried them in combination with Arcam gear once and the result was too laid back for my liking.

It might be worth trying a different amp rather than a different CD player. Try a nice dealer for a home demo. Then, if moneys tight and that is the problem, come back and we can suggest some second hand amps.

On the phono stage, get a decent one, at least the NAD or Project. That sounds like ground hum and a 'proper' phono stage will sort that.

 

[square-eyes-baz]

Coincedently(sp?) a few days ago I was looking at Pioneer A400 amps on e bay (they have a built in phono stage). No idea if they are any good still though? Cheers

 

[overkill]

Coincedently(sp?) a few days ago I was looking at Pioneer A400 amps on e bay (they have a built in phono stage). No idea if they are any good still though? Cheers

Not bad, but not that good either. Put the words overrated, the, massively, A400, was, in order and you get the idea. I preferred, from extensive listening to that amp and others side by side, the following that would probably suit your system:-

The MF A1, A2 & B200.The B200 is the best buy as it's a terrific amp anyway, but it's not a class 'A' design so it will be happier driving a 6ohm load. Any of those three can be found on Ebay.

I would check though, bearing in mind the age, if they've been serviced/checked recently.

 

[square-eyes-baz]

The 636's are 6ohm impedence, but the sensitivity is 90, so they are pretty easy to drive. I'm surprised the treble sounds 'subdued' as these are dual concentrics and the treble and mid is well focused as a result. The only thing with these is, that they could sound a little 'bass heavy', in particular in a tight listening space.

Maybe the bass is too forward and overwhelming everything rather than the treble recessed?

The NAD amp should be able to drive these, but, and here it comes, Tannoy speakers are quite 'rich' or 'warm' sounding and as such will exacerbate that same tendency in the NAD gear. I doubt tbh, you will hear much change without trying another CD player or Amp. The Tannoys I've used tend to go better with slightly more 'forward' amplifiers. I tried them in combination with Arcam gear once and the result was too laid back for my liking.

It might be worth trying a different amp rather than a different CD player. Try a nice dealer for a home demo. Then, if moneys tight and that is the problem, come back and we can suggest some second hand amps.

On the phono stage, get a decent one, at least the NAD or Project. That sounds like ground hum and a 'proper' phono stage will sort that.

You got it Had a good listen today and maybe the treble isnt the problem after all. My room is 4m x5m approx and the sound from my system is probably way too big for the room. It is a very hefty and heavy sound , smaller speakers would maybe cut the sheer scale down but then Id most likely moan about what Id lost Im going to probably get this tomorrow ,unless its no good (Im sure someone will tell me) :-
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/product_reviews.php?PID=28&Title=Azur+540P. Its abit cheaper than the 2 you suggested and I can get it local. Thanks for the help .Will post back on the pre amp, cheers Baz

 

[square-eyes-baz]

Well I ended up buying a new Nad PP2 . Still had the horrendous hum through the speakers. After shifting the turntable ,PP2 into different positions it seems to be the mains lead on the turntable . Have to really position it well away from the other bits Would that be the fault of the extremely puny ground lead on the Technics ?- Ive connected it to the back of the PP2.

 

[square-eyes-baz]

Just an update, humming is now totally gone! Changed the phono leads between TT and phono stage and to the amp. The ones I was using obviously had no shielding. Only bought a couple of pairs of Profigold (£12 a pair) work fine. What are your opinions on the speaker cable im using -QED Original? Should I bother maybe trying QED Silver Anniversary?
Would this :
a) Give more detail
b) Just make the sound brighter
C) none of the above -save me money
Thank ye

 

[kidloco46]

I would stay away from QED silver anniversary, it will brighten your system, but I found it painful to listen to.

Give Chord Rumour a go, its silver based so will brighten your system up, but it still keeps the sound nice and sweet, great little cable.