Hi community....haven't posted here for some time. I haven't been building for awhile but have been buying and trying gear. Despite several reviews of a recessed soundstage, I recently I bought an Anthem Integrated 2. The power rating, damping factor, low level detail is all great but it needs some voicing.
I was told by the designer, mods were possible but too expensive for me.
To make the amp more forward sounding is the goal. Right now the instruments and voices mostly hover behind my speakers.
Would swapping coupling caps do anything?
I was told by the designer, mods were possible but too expensive for me.
To make the amp more forward sounding is the goal. Right now the instruments and voices mostly hover behind my speakers.
Would swapping coupling caps do anything?
NO!!!
I know Chris Johnson. Sure, mods are possible. But the goal is to have a flat response and low distortion. To deviate, try an effects unit. I am serious.
Good mods are expensive because they are ENGINEERED changes. I have to rebuild gear all the time because some folks figure they are expert in modifying equipment. Some have destroyed equipment despite having a "good reputation". Often, reliability is affected or performance actually reduced. Lastly, many times you can't improve a well designed piece of equipment but because it sounds different, it can be seen as an improvement (for a while).
By the way ... reviews are worth nothing most times. At total waste of your time unless they point out high distortion, hum or other nasties. Determining sound quality by ear in varied environments just isn't reasonable. I know some reviewers and they can be horrible judges of sound quality. Some can't even hear the high pitched whine of a Nixie clock inverter that drives me nuts!
So, ensure your amp is running properly first. Use a tech with the equipment to accurately measure these things with real dummy loads. Seeing a spectrum is the current standard. Once you know it is running properly, then listen to it. Remember too, people prefer what they are used to listening to in sound. Not unless it was horrible - lol! Want an honest appraisal? Ask a child or your significant other who doesn't read the audio press. They'll tell you the truth.
I know Chris Johnson. Sure, mods are possible. But the goal is to have a flat response and low distortion. To deviate, try an effects unit. I am serious.
Good mods are expensive because they are ENGINEERED changes. I have to rebuild gear all the time because some folks figure they are expert in modifying equipment. Some have destroyed equipment despite having a "good reputation". Often, reliability is affected or performance actually reduced. Lastly, many times you can't improve a well designed piece of equipment but because it sounds different, it can be seen as an improvement (for a while).
By the way ... reviews are worth nothing most times. At total waste of your time unless they point out high distortion, hum or other nasties. Determining sound quality by ear in varied environments just isn't reasonable. I know some reviewers and they can be horrible judges of sound quality. Some can't even hear the high pitched whine of a Nixie clock inverter that drives me nuts!
So, ensure your amp is running properly first. Use a tech with the equipment to accurately measure these things with real dummy loads. Seeing a spectrum is the current standard. Once you know it is running properly, then listen to it. Remember too, people prefer what they are used to listening to in sound. Not unless it was horrible - lol! Want an honest appraisal? Ask a child or your significant other who doesn't read the audio press. They'll tell you the truth.
Thanks Anatech! All really good suggestions.
It was Chris who suggested pulling the board and swapping the caps.
I have lived with the Anthem for a few months and no matter what speakers, placement the sound stage is shallow and behind the speakers. Not at all holographic.
It was after listening that I started reading and sometimes re-reading reviews in an attempt to learn anything at all about remedying this effect. Tube rolling with matched sets has had no effect. It sounds great but there's no synergy with the Monitor Audio speakers.
It was Chris who suggested pulling the board and swapping the caps.
I have lived with the Anthem for a few months and no matter what speakers, placement the sound stage is shallow and behind the speakers. Not at all holographic.
It was after listening that I started reading and sometimes re-reading reviews in an attempt to learn anything at all about remedying this effect. Tube rolling with matched sets has had no effect. It sounds great but there's no synergy with the Monitor Audio speakers.
I think mods were hopeless. Instead, push your speakers together and play with their angles.
Hi faithintruth,
Some improvements can be made. Chris sells very expensive parts, I use top quality industrial parts that are often better. Concentrate on improving performance.
The things you are describing have nothing to do with the amplifier unless it isn't working properly. So cumbb is quite right. Your acoustics are probably to blame, or source material. Expectation bias (what is in your head) plays a far larger role as well. Stop reading reviews and opinions.
Tube rolling is something you should avoid doing. I was apprenticed on tube technology. Tubes are made to adhere to certain specifications. So the same type numbers are interchangeable. If they vary enough to sound different, one is off spec. Either that or poor quality. Do not change tube types, they have different plate characteristics and the circuit was designed for the type number specified. Expect higher distortion with a different tube type. Circuit feedback tends to equalize things making the tube less important anyway, unless the circuit is a poor design.
Tubes were commodity items and factories bought and sold between them to satisfy demand. You could buy junk, industrial top quality, or military grade (not necessarily better, but would survive shock and vibration better). This contrasts to what the audio press will tell you.
Some improvements can be made. Chris sells very expensive parts, I use top quality industrial parts that are often better. Concentrate on improving performance.
The things you are describing have nothing to do with the amplifier unless it isn't working properly. So cumbb is quite right. Your acoustics are probably to blame, or source material. Expectation bias (what is in your head) plays a far larger role as well. Stop reading reviews and opinions.
Tube rolling is something you should avoid doing. I was apprenticed on tube technology. Tubes are made to adhere to certain specifications. So the same type numbers are interchangeable. If they vary enough to sound different, one is off spec. Either that or poor quality. Do not change tube types, they have different plate characteristics and the circuit was designed for the type number specified. Expect higher distortion with a different tube type. Circuit feedback tends to equalize things making the tube less important anyway, unless the circuit is a poor design.
Tubes were commodity items and factories bought and sold between them to satisfy demand. You could buy junk, industrial top quality, or military grade (not necessarily better, but would survive shock and vibration better). This contrasts to what the audio press will tell you.
Thanks for your comments.
I'm looking for someone who has modified the Anthem.
Tube rolling is fun. Obviously I have interchanged tubes of the same type.
Swapping caps is not new to me.
I have purchased lots from Chris over the last 16 years.
I'm looking for someone who has modified the Anthem.
Tube rolling is fun. Obviously I have interchanged tubes of the same type.
Swapping caps is not new to me.
I have purchased lots from Chris over the last 16 years.
Well, again. The only modifications anyone should ever consider is improving performance. Voicing is distortion.
Yes, Chris is solid. I deal with him too.
Yes, Chris is solid. I deal with him too.
Yes, improvement.
So, have you improved one?
(Fwiw, the designer himself said it could be "voiced".) Chris wants too much (for me) to work on it.
So, have you improved one?
(Fwiw, the designer himself said it could be "voiced".) Chris wants too much (for me) to work on it.
I have worked on those before. I can't remember if I have improved performance or not on one, but I commonly do on a lot of equipment. My late wife worked for Chris & Chris at Sonic Frontiers.
"Voicing" is adjusting or adding distortion. Generally speaking, this is a never-ending loop that should be avoided. What you always want to do is decrease distortion without negatively affecting reliability. Those two things shouldn't be mutually exclusive.
Parts quality can be measured, so you know before the part goes in what effect it might have. Use parts that are linear, and you will get lower distortion. The design determines the rest. That you cannot change without modifying the circuit, then the equipment is no longer what the face plate says it is. Avoid doing that if you have to cut traces or hang parts in the air. Same for mounting giant parts, when someone starts to that, it is a clear sign they don't know what they are doing.
Hi cumbb,
I always answer honestly. Sometimes I soften the blow. lol!
"Voicing" is adjusting or adding distortion. Generally speaking, this is a never-ending loop that should be avoided. What you always want to do is decrease distortion without negatively affecting reliability. Those two things shouldn't be mutually exclusive.
Parts quality can be measured, so you know before the part goes in what effect it might have. Use parts that are linear, and you will get lower distortion. The design determines the rest. That you cannot change without modifying the circuit, then the equipment is no longer what the face plate says it is. Avoid doing that if you have to cut traces or hang parts in the air. Same for mounting giant parts, when someone starts to that, it is a clear sign they don't know what they are doing.
Hi cumbb,
I always answer honestly. Sometimes I soften the blow. lol!
Well, that's that. I don't feel like redesigning the circuit. Thanks for your reply.
I will sell it to someone who will have a better chance of synergy in their system.
Any takers? The add will be up soon.
I will sell it to someone who will have a better chance of synergy in their system.
Any takers? The add will be up soon.
Thanks! I have more amplifiers than I could possibly use at the moment!
Yes, if an amp doesn't do it for you ... down the road. Someone will love it.
Yes, if an amp doesn't do it for you ... down the road. Someone will love it.