Pre-Amp question

hejiraent

Ok, Understanding that everyones ear is different, I am considering changing out my Adcom pre amp for a Parasound. I am looking for a crisper sound and better channel seperation.

Am I looking to replace the wrong component??

F1nut

If at all possible, try the new pre in your home before you buy. Looking at the gear listed I'm quessing you're into HT more than music, but in either case you might want to consider upgrading your source. Garbage in, garbage out.

hejiraent

F1,
What do you mean by Source? The DVD player? I bought a Cambridge Audio Azur 5400 that is on the way. I only get home 1 week of each month, so it will take a few weeks to see if this improves the situation.

steveinaz

I think you're right to go with the Parasound. Adcom's can sound a bit too warm. The Parasound has a wonderful articulate sound, without getting too analytical. You can't beat the $249 price tag either. Don't let that price fool you, the PHP-850 can compete with any $1k + preamp out there.

Looking at your equipment list, have you tried different interconnects? This might "tweak" in the sound you're after.

hejiraent

Steve,

I have been a hard to please audio listener for many years. I have gone through my trial and error phase of testing different brands of interconnects and speaker wires. I am a Monster Cable user. For this set up I went with the THX 600 Ultra series. I am confident that they are not the source of my problem. I like to trouble shoot doing cheapest guess first, so I am going to give the new DVD player a listen and see if this helps. If not I will get a Parasound Pre Amp and say a prayer.

steveinaz

How much are you looking to spend? It better be about a grand if you plan on out-doing that Cambridge. Something to think about.

F1nut

Yes, I meant the DVD player. I see you've got a new one on the way, so you'll find out if that helps. I have to tell you that those Monster cables are not going to help with your quest for higher fidelity. I am a firm believer in cables, but there are plenty of better choices.

steveinaz

Originally posted by F1nut
I have to tell you that those Monster cables are not going to help with your quest for higher fidelity. I am a firm believer in cables, but there are plenty of better choices.

Amen brotha!

hejiraent

F1,

Do you know of any stores that allow home testing before purchasing?

Now, and I know I am opening a can of worms here, what cables would you suggest I try? I can go as high as $25 per interconnect.

F1nut

Most any hi-fi store (not BB, CC, etc.) will let you take home a piece of gear to try. They take your credit card info just in case you never return though. Then there are online dealers that offer 30 day return policies, no questions asked.

As for cables, $25.00 isn't going to get your much that's worth bothering about. There are a lot of members here that like Signal Cables (www.signalcable.com) and they are without doubt better that Monster, but even they cost more than $25.00 a pair. A great way to get more cable for less money is to buy used at places like www.audiogon.com or www.usedcables.com. While you're at your local hi-fi shop checking out gear to try at home talk to them about trying out some cables too. The old entry level MIT Terminator T2 is decent cable for the money, usually around $50.00 per meter used. Just be sure they are the gray ones not the beige.

hejiraent

F1,

I meant $25.00 each interconnect $50 per pair. I HATE having to physically change wires. I will give the DVD change a go and hopefully that will be the source of my problem. If not I will look into my interconnect situation.

Thanks.

steveinaz

Audioquest "Sidewinder" would fit in your budget. Look Here:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=AQSW%2E5&product_name=Sidewinder%20Interconnect%20Cables

A 1 meter pair is 39 bucks. A very good/inexpensive cable.

HBombToo

Mr Steve introduced me to both Parasound and AQ lines and if detail is what you want,"trust him if not me...", that you will get detail with both products mentioned.

F1 also raises some very good points regarding Monster verse other products and when I switched from Monster on my HT the change was immediatly apparent to me.

HBomb

Tour2ma

Originally posted by hejiraent
I am looking for a crisper sound and better channel seperation.

Maybe it's just my audio dictionary vs. your's, but...
I've never heard "crisp" sound (which I take to be a high frequency term) from LSi's, I find them to be a very laid back speaker with a very smooth top end... Not my cup of tea, and maybe not yours.

And before I bought anything to increase channel separation, I'd work with the positioning of your mains and the balancing of your center with your mains.

What did you use to calibrate your HT?

hejiraent

Tour,

Crisp=detailed. In my dictionary anyhow.

I have everything perfectly placed now, according to the manual, this improved things a bit. I agree with your accessment of the smooth top end of the LSi line. The highs are natural to my ear, but the overall sound is not as defined as I had hoped.

Ok, calibration is news to me. How much is it gonna cost me?

Tour2ma

Detailed... got it... Actually I almost used that word in my reply, but figured the waters were muddy enough.

As for the calibration price tag... $55 to $75...

Radio Shack SPL meter ~$40...
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=33-4050

HT calibration disk $15 to $35... Here's a good thread on test disk choices. The Avia is the most expensive, but also the only one without issues
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=22238&goto=newpost

Finally here's a thread on the calibration procedure itself. Look for post by Doc Spec about halfway down the page.
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=93102#

Early B.

Another vote for the cables. That's your weak link and the reason you're not getting "crisp" sound. Those Monsters are OK for a low end HT system, but for music listening, you gotta step up to another league.

I have the same DVD player and it is capable of providing the details that you're missing. Don't be cheap on the cables. Get yourself a couple of pairs of Audioquest Corals from www.hcmaudio.com. They're half price. Also check Audio Advisor's clearance section or look for used cables on audiogon. I have used Signal Cable and Blue Jeans cable interconnects, and they have been replaced with Kimber and Audioquest.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'll second Steve's suggestion on the Sidewinders...a very good cable, best I've used under $50. I hooked them up and even my wife could hear the difference...

dragon1952

I might suggest the Outlaw PCA's which are right in your price range also. I've been using them with very nice results. They should blow the Monsters away. In fact, I just purchased a set of AudioQuest Opal x3's which are around a $100-$200 cable (depending on length) and in my one listen so far I'm not sure I like them better.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/cables_about.html

dorokusai

I've used some Outlaw IC's and found them to be too bright. It is another worthwhile option however for the next guy.

sowen010599

With the LSI's, I would recommend the SignalCable A1's, or the BJC's. Both are a little on the edge of forward, and a bit brighter, which I think is what you're looking for. LSI's are a little, as has been said, laid back. Gear that's a little brighter will help them out a little. Really neutral gear makes them sound, well, dead and lifeless.

I have never heard a Parasound anything that I disliked. They make some good gear. It is a chain though, your total experience is a sum of all components singing together. And if you do it right, it will be very nice. LSI's have a lot of potential with the right gear. You will have to get out of the Monster Cable mindset though. There is a lot more to cables than you will ever find (or hear) with their products.

dragon1952

I've used some Outlaw IC's and found them to be too bright.

Must be that BBQ.....is that propane or charcoal?

dorokusai

Originally posted by dragon1952
Must be that BBQ.....is that propane or charcoal?

LOL It's a multi-fuel animal I think....

hejiraent

I have heard it said, "The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off."

I thought I was doing a good thing by choosing Monster cables. Se la vie. I will put a pair of Signal Cable A1's on my Christmas list and do some experimenting.

Thanks everyone!

F1nut

Since you're doing your Christmas list....I've got a pair of Harmonic Tech Pro-Silway MkIII's for sale in the flea market right now. Perfect cables for the laid back sound of the LSi's and they'll smoke the other ones mentioned here.