Hello from London, UK

[markware]

Hi,

Nice to meet you. I can't remember how I stumbled across Ascend, but I'm very glad I did. I got the earlier version of the Towers with NrT tweeter and I've been very happy with them.

I also have a simple-ish two channel system, and my wife and I love classical music (and other mostly acoustic stuff as well). What source are you using?

If you like the Bach cello suites, there's a fun site you could check out:

Bach Cello Suites - Home. - Read our Recording Reviews.

It's in your backyard there :-)

If you let me know what type of source you're using - whether it's a CD player, network player, turntable, etc. - I can try to provide some insight into maximizing sound quality specifically for your classical/acoustic listening preferences on your two-channel system. The source is a critical part of the audio chain.

[laidbach]

Hi markware,

Thank you for reaching out, I would appreciate any advice on how to make the most out of my system, especially with classical music.

I will refer you to the following thread I started a couple days ago - it’s a question of speaker cables, but contains relevant data on my amp as well, so I think it may be the most appropriate place to continue the discussion.

https://forum.ascendacoustics.com/sh...for-ELX-ribbon

My source then is a Marantz Model 40n, it’s a class A/B integrated with DAC and wireless built-in, so basically a good quality Made in Japan machine with all the modern conveniences type thing.

Hopefully, you might shed some light on the matter of the cables that link my Marantz to the ELX ribbon - I know they’re not so critical a part of the system, provided they’re within an acceptable spec (gauge mostly), but reading about how cable might interact with the amp and speakers, it makes sense for me to try to get to the bottom of this and ensure the cables are optimally specified for the specific components on either end.

[James]

If you let me know what type of source you're using - whether it's a CD player, network player, turntable, etc. - I can try to provide some insight into maximizing sound quality specifically for your classical/acoustic listening preferences on your two-channel system. The source is a critical part of the audio chain.

Hi,

I have a cambridge audio upsampling cd player, and also am streaming qobuz through a laptop to an audioengine b-fi to the upsampling dac in the cd player. After using REW and a Behringer equalizer, and optimizing speaker placement, we have as close to perfect reproduction as we've ever had. The uncompressed 16/44.1 qobuz files are passed through the laptop and audioengine without any modifications.

After using REW to create filters for the equalizer, I also have corrected some bass modes by ear, and added some smallish boosts to correct some dips. All of the corrections were verified by using an Editor's Choice CD from Stereophile.

Edit to add that makes it sound easier and quicker than it was - it took quite a while learning and experimenting to get to this point. Sometimes that was fun and interesting, and sometimes frustrating and confusing. But it was well worth it!

[laidbach]

Hi,

I have a cambridge audio upsampling cd player, and also am streaming qobuz through a laptop to an audioengine b-fi to the upsampling dac in the cd player. After using REW and a Behringer equalizer, and optimizing speaker placement, we have as close to perfect reproduction as we've ever had. The uncompressed 16/44.1 qobuz files are passed through the laptop and audioengine without any modifications.

After using REW to create filters for the equalizer, I also have corrected some bass modes by ear, and added some smallish boosts to correct some dips. All of the corrections were verified by using an Editor's Choice CD from Stereophile.

Edit to add that makes it sound easier and quicker than it was - it took quite a while learning and experimenting to get to this point. Sometimes that was fun and interesting, and sometimes frustrating and confusing. But it was well worth it!

Thank you so much James, I think I should focus on exactly the suggestions you’re making - correcting room modes in this way, I suspect would yield audible improvements.

I’ll research and revert soon.

Happy Easter!

[James]

Thank you so much James, I think I should focus on exactly the suggestions you’re making - correcting room modes in this way, I suspect would yield audible improvements.

I’ll research and revert soon.

Happy Easter!

My pleasure.

It's a bit of a rabbit hole, but interesting to learn about. And with the equipment I got, it's not that expensive, considering the remarkable technology and improvements.

REW - Room EQ Wizard Room Acoustics Software
Dayton Audio UMM-6 USB Measurement Microphone (parts-express.com)
Behringer | Product | FBQ2496

There are other ways to do it, of course, but this was a simple way to add room correction to my old-school 2-channel system.