Further to Arc resonance....

Fisby,
81-82-83-84, I loved that album when it came out, but I've not listened to it in ages. The only problem is the insanely muddy and bass heavy mix. With a LP12/Ekos/Klyde front end it sounded bloated on my SBLs! I imagine it will be awful with the Arcs. Having been reminded of it I shall give it a spin tonight or the weekend and report back later.

Noel.

Yes spoils a good album, nothing else came near it for bloatiness!
(I wonder what the CD would sound like...)

Fisbey,

Wow, what an awful muddy mix on New Gold Dream! The title track is so bass dominated. Thick congealed over creamy bass. King is White was underpinned with a droning monotone. But I really enjoyed listening to it and felt uplifted. Hunter and the hunted sounded beautifull. Even with the heavy bass mix I found my self drawn through the different layers of the music. Inspired, I spent about 4 hours listening to Jethro Tull, Joe Satriani and Dreadzone.
The smile got bigger, the wine was opened, the LPs kept coming, the Whiskey was good. What a relaxing evening.
My conclusion, its the recording and I love my Arcs!

Noel.

I thought as much!

Seem to be going round in circles with my Arcs, one day I think it's them, the next I think it's the room etc etc. So, after speaking to Naim and a couple of dealers I'm going to dem some other speakers - I love my Arcs too, but with CD being my main source, I don't think my room can accomodate the Arcs, which is very sad

So, I'm off to Infidelity tomorrow and hopefully Oranges and Lemons next week - I have to get this right, God knows I spent ages choosing the Arcs....

I really have tried everything I know (apart from mana mmmm), so I really am resigned to losing my babies as it were.

I have heard them sound stunning in larger rooms.

I know anything I get will be very different, but I really can't live with such heavy bass even allowing for the extra bass CD appears to produce - this all also means I will need a better turntable at some point I think.

I now remember why I stopped buying HI FI - it can drive you to distraction!....

Did you try adjusting the room acoustics? Did you speak to the speaker maker or distributor?

Objects right in the rooms corners reduce the bass response. Posts on other forums have implied other Shahinain users have had success. This is not a subtle effect.

Speakers are personnal, you will struggle to find something you like as much. Try some smaller Shahinians.

I've tried most things including talking to Pear audio - this is floorboard shaking stuff we're talking about - fine under some circumstances, but not with the volume control below 9 o'clock....

I think maybe stand mounts might help?

During my recent speaker hunt I ended up hearing ARCs in three different rooms. The systems were broadly similar - well set-up mid to upper range Naim with LP12 and Naim CD source. All three scenarios had the same mid-bass emphasis, especially noticable on plucked double bass notes. This wasn't the ARC's warm presentation but a specific resonance that happened to notes of the same pitch on different recordings. It varied in prominence in the different systems but was always there and always irritating. I first noticed the effect at Raphael Samad's. He later contacted me to say he had managed to tame the problem by moving the speakers and, I think, rearranging the room. He sometimes posts here and perhaps might like to explain what he did.

duncan

Email: djcritchley at hotmail.com

Fisbey,

If your trying other speakers then give B&W 601S3 a go. I've purchased a pair s/h for a second system and am trying then in place of my Arcs for a while. Considering the price they are excellent on the end of CDS2,52,250. In fact they may be staying a while, they have about the right amount of bass for my small room. The lack of bass extension is frustrating and the treble a little tizzy but they have much to commend them.

It never ceases to amaze me just how good budget speakers can sound on the end of good electronics. I think that I like the B and w sound the 601s may encourage me to try the small cdms for the main system.

Brendan

Fisbey

Have you tried turning the ARC's around ?
This might work in your room.
Just a thought !

Mark