I'm feeling awash...

I-SIG

...in the stereo doldrums.

I thoroughly enjoy my SRS's (with RDO's, Vampire posts, and AQ SDA interconnect) but I feel like I'm limiting myself because they can't handle non-common ground amps and I'm a bit chicken to make a big reduction wattage since we know the nature of the SDA's, especially the big boys.

I feel like my source and pre are good enough (for the time being) to let the differences of new speakers and/or amp(s) show through pretty evenly.

With that in mind......

The one thing I'm really afraid of is losing the scale of the music that SRS's present so fully. On the other hand, if I'm gonna truly start experimenting with some new (to me) and better gear (hopefully), I feel like some speakers that I don't have to worry about amp issues with are gonna be a necessity.

So, assuming I move the SRS's which direction should I go? Should hold out and wait for some 1.2's, 2.3's, or SRS-2's to show up and build an AI-1 or try something radically different from the SDA's like the Tyler Linbrook Reference Monitors? (The Tyler's are just an example, but if I go monitors, I want a dual-driver design like the these or the LSi9's or something that can reach down to 40hz or less with ease. I know I don't want the 9's.) Obviously some floorstanders are a preferred option but see my concerns above.

Wes

madmax

Just remember, the bigger the SRS, the more efficient they are. For example, my 60 watt tube amplifier is reasonable with the SDA-SRS and the 1.2's but with the 1C's it was inadequate. (for me at least).

Never hurts to try something new but I wouldn't sell the polks before knowing which I wanted to keep.

madmax

heiney9

Familiarity leads to the mundane. I certainly wouldn't be too hasty to get rid of the SDA's. In my rig I always find I want to get something new, but not because I'm unhappy simply because with something new comes the unfamiliarity that makes listening exciting again. Over time though if the new equipment doesn't quite measure up you'll find yourself longing for what you had.

I am in the same situation in that after 20 years with the same amp I'm ready to try something new but am somewhat limited because of the common ground thing.

I suppose if you are prepared to go in a completely different direction it might work for you but I would never get rid of something unless I was 1000% sure what I was replacing it with was exactly what I was looking for. You will eventually have the doldrums with a new set-up. It may take a while but once we become familiar with soemthing it tends to loose a little bit of its freshness.

When I get the doldrums I try and put on my favorite music or the best recorded music so I can hear my system shine. Sometimes when I'm really in the doldrums with the sound of my system I don't listen for a week to 10 days and wehn you come back to listening it sound fresh.

H9

I-SIG

madmax wrote: »

Just remember, the bigger the SRS, the more efficient they are. For example, my 60 watt tube amplifier is reasonable with the SDA-SRS and the 1.2's but with the 1C's it was inadequate. (for me at least).

Never hurts to try something new but I wouldn't sell the polks before knowing which I wanted to keep.

madmax

I was thinking of moving my small Parasound to the mids and finding a tube amp to try out on the tweeters, something cheap but good like a Dynaco ST-70 or something and rolling some tubes.

Then when I find a tube I like, finding something better for the mids, then getting a bigger tube amp for the tweets.

Wes

wingnut4772

I-SIG wrote: »

I was thinking of moving my small Parasound to the mids and finding a tube amp to try out on the tweeters, something cheap but good like a Dynaco ST-70 or something and rolling some tubes.

Then when I find a tube I like, finding something better for the mids, then getting a bigger tube amp for the tweets.

Wes

I feel a case of OCD coming on. Have you taken your meds for upgraditus?

steveinaz

Is the source of discontent the tweeters? It sounds like you trying to smooth treble a bit by going tubes on the high-end.

I think part of the problem is your room size. Those are huge speakers for the relatively small family room you have. I bet you'd be quite satisfied with a larger listening area (I know, easier said than done). Other than that, a smaller monitor might be what you need---personally, I'd look at the Paradigm Reference Studio 40.

I-SIG

steveinaz wrote: »

Is the source of discontent the tweeters? It sounds like you trying to smooth treble a bit by going tubes on the high-end.

I think part of the problem is your room size. Those are huge speakers for the relatively small family room you have. I bet you'd be quite satisfied with a larger listening area (I know, easier said than done). Other than that, a smaller monitor might be what you need---personally, I'd look at the Paradigm Reference Studio 40.

I am planning some room treatments, but since my listening room is the main room of the house, I don't want to go too crazy with ATS panels all over the place. I want it to be a living room, not a white padded room.

I thought a tube on the high-end would be way different and something that would be fun to play with. I'm mostly happy with the top-end. I think the room has a fair amount of reflection that isn't helping the situation.

I also think I need a bit clarity in the mid-range than the Parasounds are delivering without compromising the dynamics. I thought a tubed top-end might be easier to take care of first than the myriad of choices of smaller (~100W/ch) SS amps.

Wes

heiney9

Also keep in mind you'll find little to nothing that sounds like the SDA's. So far all other box type speakers come up short IMO. Nothing drastic but once you loose the soundstage the SDA provides when you listen to other similar it becomes very apparent. You certainly could get used to another sound. SDA's aren't the end all be all but they are unique enough to be sorely missed if you move on.

All I'm saying is apporach it with some caution, but mixing things up is always a great experience. If I hadn't revistied the SDA's I currently have I would still be searching. I may move on, but these will never leave me, they will always have a place in my system even if it's not everyday duty.

H9

madmax

I've tried all this at one time or another. The tube amp is a bad idea for the tweeters. It requires a good solid load and just the high frequency section is not good enough. I could use a few I had by putting a 16 ohm resistor in parallel with the tweeters but a higher value (greater number than 16) cause the amps to complain.

Remember, a SS amp you normally don't want to short or drive at a super low resistance, a tube amp you don't want to have the output open or at a high resistance.

Tubes are best suited to high end midrange performance anyway.

To date the best I've heard is a single channel of tube power powering each channel. The bass is where I really like tubes. I notice a lot of different bass sounds with tubes that seem to sound the same with SS.

madmax

I-SIG

madmax wrote: »

I've tried all this at one time or another. The tube amp is a bad idea for the tweeters. It requires a good solid load and just the high frequency section is not good enough. I could use a few I had by putting a 16 ohm resistor in parallel with the tweeters but a higher value (greater number than 16) cause the amps to complain. madmax

Thanks, Chuck.

I'm gonna do so research from what I kind on the 'gon and see what kind of reviews I can find on some 60-100W/ch under $2k.

Can you explain ultralinear and why I do or don't want that?

Thanks,
Wes

madmax

The Jolida amps are ultra linear and I've always found myself liking the way they sound. This is the best description I could find. It is both technical and talks about the sound.

http://www.webace.com.au/~electron/tubes/ul.html

madmax

dorokusai

It's time to let go of the past and try something new.

I-SIG

madmax wrote: »

The Jolida amps are ultra linear and I've always found myself liking the way they sound. This is the best description I could find. It is both technical and talks about the sound.

http://www.webace.com.au/~electron/tubes/ul.html

madmax

Thanks! I just read a part of the article, but I think I get it.

I took a look at those Underwood-modded Jolida integrateds. Those seem like some sweet pieces. The Cary Rocket 88's are intriguing also. And the Sonic Frontiers Power 2. Oh yeah, a BAT VK-55 or 60 may be barely in my range.

Wes

Yashu

I have heard lots of good things about Jolida. I would definately check them out. I almost bought one of their hybrid integrated amps... and still might when I get the budget for it.

I know how it feels to be in the doldrums... I have had the same series of PSB speakers for many years now... I have both towers and bookshelves of the same series... when I moved and did not have the room for towers for main listening, I went bookshelf shopping and came back to PSB...

I'd say go out and listen to as many speakers as you can... ones that you would consider and fit in your budget. Then go back and give the SDAs a good listen. If you have a renewed appreciation for your SDAs then they still are the speaker for you. That is how I knew, I listened to many, but when I came back to PSB, I was left with a renewed appreciation for them. If you come back to the SDAs and they are STILL boring and uninteresting, then maybe a change is a good idea... but with good SDAs being harder and harder to find, I would still try to test other gear in your system before giving them up.

Tubes will tone down brightness but not by a whole lot. The best way to do this with tubes is through a tubed poweramp. A tubed pre or source is not going to effect a hot tweeter much at all. There is also the option of finding a pre with a GOOD set of tone controls... dialing down the trebel a notch on a GOOD tone circuit can bring good results when it's warrented.