stevebootes
Standard Member
Hi All,
I've recently bought a second-hand Thorens TD-160 Super turntable. I'm getting a really nice detailed sound out of it but it seems to have highlighted a weakness in my system best described as a lack of dynamics - there isn't much "punch" to music on it. It's a little better on some CDs than on Vinyl but that's just a likely because I haven't bought a decent cartridge yet.
The system has a bit of a dual role - it's mainly used as an HT system with movies and TV, but also has to provide music functions too. It's been cobbled together over the years mainly by second-hand purchases, so nothing has ever really been thought about in terms of matching.
Anyway, here's the system:
Pre-Amp: Tag Mclaren AV-32R Dual Processor
Power Amp: Marantz MM9000
Speakers: Proac Hexa Response system
CD: Marantz CD 6000 KI
Turntable: Thorens TD-160 Super with Pro-Ject Phonobox II preamp
Cables: Various - QED XT350 speaker cable, Nordost Blue Heaven and QED something interconnects.
Room is approx 12ft x 15ft.
Is there an obvious weak point in my system which is limiting my dynamics? The small Proac Hexa's would seem to be it just by looking at them, but maybe someone else knows better - sound quality is great from them. The Marantz power amp is also probably a weak point, but that seems to have plenty of oomph behind it even if it's not the most musical thing. I haven't spent huge amounts on cables but will that really make that much difference?
I'm at the point now where upgrading individual components is an expensive job that I don't want to get wrong - I'm not going to replace the front speakers with larger Proacs (for example) unless I absolutely know for sure that's my problem.
Any advice anyone?
Steve
I've recently bought a second-hand Thorens TD-160 Super turntable. I'm getting a really nice detailed sound out of it but it seems to have highlighted a weakness in my system best described as a lack of dynamics - there isn't much "punch" to music on it. It's a little better on some CDs than on Vinyl but that's just a likely because I haven't bought a decent cartridge yet.
The system has a bit of a dual role - it's mainly used as an HT system with movies and TV, but also has to provide music functions too. It's been cobbled together over the years mainly by second-hand purchases, so nothing has ever really been thought about in terms of matching.
Anyway, here's the system:
Pre-Amp: Tag Mclaren AV-32R Dual Processor
Power Amp: Marantz MM9000
Speakers: Proac Hexa Response system
CD: Marantz CD 6000 KI
Turntable: Thorens TD-160 Super with Pro-Ject Phonobox II preamp
Cables: Various - QED XT350 speaker cable, Nordost Blue Heaven and QED something interconnects.
Room is approx 12ft x 15ft.
Is there an obvious weak point in my system which is limiting my dynamics? The small Proac Hexa's would seem to be it just by looking at them, but maybe someone else knows better - sound quality is great from them. The Marantz power amp is also probably a weak point, but that seems to have plenty of oomph behind it even if it's not the most musical thing. I haven't spent huge amounts on cables but will that really make that much difference?
I'm at the point now where upgrading individual components is an expensive job that I don't want to get wrong - I'm not going to replace the front speakers with larger Proacs (for example) unless I absolutely know for sure that's my problem.
Any advice anyone?
Steve