RB1080 loses sparkle at low volumes

simphiwes

Can anyone help me tweaking my stereo, the RB1080 is very enjoyable at mid to high volumes but it looses all the dynamics at moderate to low volumes. Can I fix this or is this a "character" of the amp, i use audio quest sidewinder interconnects and acoustic research 12 gauge speaker wire. I am considering the QED Silver XT speaker cable as an upgrade and also the QED Qunex 3 interconnects as an upgrade as well to fix the "problem". Has anyone had a similar experience, any opinions are welcome or am i going about this the wrong way. i was considering getting biwire cable on the QED, the sales man says I should consider buying a more expensive cable instead of two "cheap" cables. Can this thread not go into the whether cables make a difference debate.

Just by the way the RC1070 only has 1 month play in time except for the RB1080 wich has been in working mode for the past 3 years or less.

Thank you in advance.

tonyb

Could be a host of things.Cables not being one of them at this point.Check your settings in the pre.What are they crossed over at?My first guess for lack of low level detail would be amp or speakers.Also placement of the speaks will play a big role too.Did the amp ever sound good at low levels?Think about the time it did sound good,and now,think about what changed.Cables will make a difference,but not the first place I'd look to resolve the issue.

simphiwes

i cannot say it has ever sounded good at low volumes beacuse i have only had it for a month, i bought it second hand from someone(RB1080) he has had it for three years. i must say from them time i put this set up together its been sounding better and better but the lower volumes worry me but not too much i just wanted to know if anyone had any ideas to "fix" this, i'll play around like you said, try things, but if this does not get resolved its no train smash, i'll try tubes maybe for another set up or maybe not i dont know not a big deal though. i'll use my headphones if need be.

reeltrouble1

powered pre's sound better at higher volume, passive pre's sound better at low volume, it has to do with the design of the amp, impedance input/output matching, voltage shifts and resistance. I recall studying this a month or so ago. Then add room dynamics, which of course are different every place you stand, in one spot you can hear lots of say mid-bass in another you cannot. This is how tweaking your rig can make it a bit better, the Promitheus got good write up's as a passive pre which can also play at louder volumes, I think Early B. has one.

Have fun and do not be afraid to change out your gear along the path.

RT1

RT1

heiney9

Just as a point of reference. When listening to my SDA 1C's low level dynamics and sounstage is excellent. Listening to my 5b's I have to turn them up quite a bit to get the bass out of them. Low level dynamics are lacking a little bit in the 5b's.

It could be a combo of speakers and room dynamics.

H9

ND13

invest in some hearing aids;)