Warm, cold, natural, neutral, clinical, cynical,???? Aghhhh

[ow81]

I fairly recently upgraded from a Yamaha RS202d receiver to a AS501 integrated amp. I'm beginning to wonder if I've made the right choice. The RS202d was the first reasonable amplifier since the first semi decent Cambridge Audio amp I had when I was in my early twenties. Had a long period where I didn't have loads of disposable income due to buying a house etc, so when the Cambridge died I was only using a naff mini system.

So being honest I don't think I really knew what people meant by "warm" or "clinical/neutral" sound signatures. The RS202d like all the Yamaha amps calls itself a "natural sound " product, so I assumed this meant it was neutral, I like how the amp sounds , so thought I must like this natural/neutral sound that people talk of rather than the warm sound I bought the as501 thinking it would be better version of the 202. I think in actual fact the 202 is a much warmer amp, it's certainly very differently voiced to the as501. The 501 clearly has much better, punchier bass, it controls the speakers much better definitely and is a much more powerful amp.

The AS501 seems to excel with music that's been recorded well, but it's far less forgiving to more badly recorded stuff. Motown for example sounds pretty nice on the 202, on the 501 it sounds like people are smashing pots and pans and the other instruments seem to be a muddy mush.

Is this just the way it is? Badly recorded music will generally sound rubbish on slightly better gear? Can anyone suggest anything else that might make the badly recorded stuff sound better? I have an awful lot of badly recorded music, early rnb, soul, then punk and indie also.

I'm streaming stuff from FLAC rips of my CDs via my DAC (2xES9038q2m chips and 4xjrc5532dd in I/v and lpf stages), speakers are jamo S809. I also have a Project Debut S with a Sumiko Rainier cartridge and a Phonobox s2 preamp. The vinyl generally sounds good though.

Anyway any suggestions that might help make my badly recorded music sound good through the 501 would be appreciated, cheers

 

[Nashou66]

Yep, Lots of old recordings mastered to digital sound crappy with more revealing gear, like you have discovered. That is why you said your records sound generally good. But there are some good labels that do a better job with these older recording in the mastering process.

To deal with your older digital recording try adjusting the tone controls to try to achieve the sound you want.
Otherwise get it on vinyl .

Athanasios

 

[lokerola]

Yea, I have a Yamaha A-S2200 and wouldn't call it "warm" by any means. In fact, I'm running all my sources through a Black Ice tube SSX sound expander, then through a Schiit Loki EQ before hitting the Yamaha. This all works perfectly and warms up the sound quite a bit and gives me a "loudness" setting for my room that the Yamaha can't do on it's own.

Remember these settings are for my small listening room at low to moderate volumes:
Yamaha - Bass and treble at about 3pm on the Yamaha
SSX - Bass at 4pm, SSX expander at 4pm. Vintage RCA tube installed.
Schiit Loki - Bass 3pm, low-mid bass 7pm (turned down), high-mid-bass 7pm (turned down), treble 4pm

People who hate EQ will think I'm crazy, but it works for my ears, on my gear, in my room, with my system.

The SSX isn't cheap, but is a great piece of gear.

Black Ice Audio SSX Sound Stage Expander V.2 — BLACK ICE AUDIO

Make your speakers disappear and move beyond your walls! The SSX V.2 adds the Dimension Control, a tube buffer, three input switch, and bass control to your system with the Black Ice Audio FOZ SSX V.2.

blackiceaudio.com

If I were you, I'd start with adding a Scitt Loki to the chain and see if additional EQ helps. I found the EQ on the Yamaha by itself wasn't enough for my needs.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

 

[Soundscape]

speakers are jamo S809

That's the only issue here IMO. Dollars on equipment and pennies on speakers. I've done it too.