My system's lost it's Mojo
Posted by: Hammerhead on 21 September 2000
System has just been up-graded with the addition of new speakers. Said system is now CDX, 62/140, Naim cables through-out and Ruark Talisman II's. It has improved in the area's it was lacking before ie, scale, dynamics and punch. However, there seems to be something missing. I feel like I'm listening to the sound rather than the music. The mojo/groove seems to be lost compared to what I had before when using Ruark Sabres. Could it be that I'm just a bit overwhelmed by the extra info the system is revealing or is it a bit of an unbalanced system? Also of concern is the volume said system produces. I'm not sure if it's any louder per any given setting on the pre. (Sabres are 87db/watt/Talismans 88db/watt m)It just seems to fill the room, sounds very 'real' but grooveless. I wouldn’t say it’s analytical, maybe just too ‘pure’ if that makes any sense. I'm a bit confused as to whether I like it or not. Any ideas anyone (Big Frank Abela perhaps)??
Steve
Thanks for the feedback. I'll clarify a few things first. I bought the Talismans (floorstanders) 2nd hand and are therefore run in. My equipment is split over two racks (nothing fancy), first rack has pre on the top shelf, CDX sat on Atacama plinth on second shelf with Rega3 on bottom shelf. 140, tape deck and tuner on second rack (140 on top shelf, tape/tuner on bottom shelf). (Living and listening) room is about 16ft by 11ft by 8ft high. Speakers on 'short' wall firing down the long one. Carpet over concrete floor. Plasterboard walls (Oh dear, I hear you moan).
I think I may have to play around with the positioning a bit more. When I first placed them, the bass was just too much so I brought them out to about 28cm from the back wall with a small touch of toe in which has evened things up to where they are at them moment. As I mentioned earlier, the sound seems to be too 'clean' and not very groovy. Maybe I'll move them back a touch to add some more bass warmth and body. The other variable is that the Talismans are mass loaded. At present, they've got the recommended 2 litres of sand in them. The handbook suggests this but doesn't give much more info than that. Being a bit of a lazy git/plug'n'play type of guy, the possible iterations for getting the sound and more importantly, the groove back is a bit daunting! I remember seeing a few Talismans users on the old forum - come on guys, where's a good place to start with these things?!
As for the loudness, the Talismans are very loud (to my ears) at 9 o'clock on the pre. (The old Sabres (stand mounts) would have to pumped up to about 10.30/11 to give the same effect). Anything below 8, it just doesn’t sound interesting. That's also what's bugging me. I don't want stadium levels of db, just more music.
I'll keep tweaking if you keep suggesting!
Thanks,
Steve
(I've still got the Sabres should it all go Pete Tong)
Took your advice re: removing some sand. I took it all out, weighed it and found 1 speaker had 6lb’s of sand while the other had 10lb. After much huffing and puffing lifting the speakers about (with the good lady giving me ‘that look’), I’m now near optimal I think. Speakers now contain 5lb’s of sand each and more importantly the systems groove is back. The volume issue seems to have resolved itself as well. 9 o’clock on the pre isn’t hurting my ears anymore and it sounds entertaining at lower levels as well.
I’ve learnt two things out of this episode. 1) I definitely don’t like ‘hi-fi’ sound. Music is what it’s all about and that’s what I’m now getting. 2) The adage about building your castle on sand is true also. Too much, and it all goes down the swannie!
Thank goodness for the forum! Thanks chaps.
Steve
