Rotel RA-1570 & Triton 5s New Owner Questions

[Mark Ricotta]

Hi Group. . .

First, I want to thank Audioholics and the group members in Loudspeakers for helping me decide on which high end speaker to purchase. What a great group of informed and polite people.

Purchased the Triton 5 towers and the Rotel RA-1570 integrated amplifier this past Friday and have no regrets. . just some questions. (I must say the dealer from whom I purchased the Tritons and Rotel was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and patient. . .but sometimes questions don't arise until you get home and hook up everything.) My listening area is my living room (about 400 sq. ft.) in my small apartment. The speakers are about 9 ft. apart and about 10 inches from the back and sidewalls.

My system is comprised of the Triton 5s, the Rotel RA-1570, Oppo 105D-BDP, Pioneer PL-550 Direct Drive Turntable with Denon-110 MC cartridge.

My questions:

1. The Rotel has a digital volume screen display. I have to turn the Rotel up to 25 to even here anything even faint, for both the turntable and the Oppo. Is this normal?

2. Is it normal to have to turn up the Rotel all the way up to 45 just to get a decent (in my view) listening level?

3. It seems my volume listening range is between 45 and 65, on the digital volume output level on the front screen of the Rotel.


a. Above 65, I seem to get distortion through the speakers at many different frequency levels.

b. When I'm that high in the volume level (which is where it seems I have to be to get quality listening), aren't I reaching levels where distortion normally starts creeping in, no matter what? It kind of disappoints me that I have to go so high on the volume to reach a listening level that a like. . .but just a touch further and I'm into noticeable distortion areas.

Okay, I must admit that I have only about 10 hours listening time on the Tritons and the Rotel, and that things will "smooth out" a bit at about 60 hours, as my audiophile friends tells me. But I'm still going to have to turn the Rotel up to about at least 55 to get a decent listening level, and that worries me because it would seem on the edge of distortion, given that the Rotel likely has a maximum level of 100.

4. On my Oppo 105, under speaker configuration, there is a trim option, which I have at 0, and a distance level, which I have at 9 feet. Does anyone have any thoughts on how adjustments to trim or distance might help smooth out distortion at the 65+ level, when the Oppo is my listening source.

5. On the Oppo's output volume, I used to listen comfortably with the output at 85. Now when I go past 80 on the output level on the Oppo to the Rotel to the Triton's, I get a muddling of sound.

6. Finally. . .and I understand the Triton's have passive bass radiators, not woofers, per se. . .but I can't seem to listen to loud rock 'n' roll music without a lot of distortion and muddling of sound at all levels. I tried listening to El Camino by the Black Keys on the Oppo at any level through the Rotel and Tritons, and it just isn't happening.

Let me close on a positive. When I listen to, say, CSN by Crosby, Stills and Nash on vinyl or The Best of Tracy Chapman on CD, and keep the volume level at about 54-55, the sound is full, great soundstage, no distortion or muddling of sound, and a very warm and inviting experience. I am happy with my purchase, but, heck, it was quite a bit of change - both monetarily and spiritually, as spiritually relates to how we listen to our music - and I don't want to be limited to a quality listening level between 45-65 volume level and want to be able to listen to my entire music catalog, which includes hundreds and LPs and thousands of CDs, some of which I'd like to listen to at a louder level, if possible, without the distortion that occurs above 65 on the Rotel. And again, I can't seem to listen to anything below 45, because volume at or below that level seems distant and faint.


I thank you all in advance for taking the time to answer any or all of my questions. This is such a valuable forum and group.


Markinrockford

 

[PENG]

Hi Group. . .

First, I want to thank Audioholics and the group members in Loudspeakers for helping me decide on which high end speaker to purchase. What a great group of informed and polite people.

Purchased the Triton 5 towers and the Rotel RA-1570 integrated amplifier this past Friday and have no regrets. . just some questions. (I must say the dealer from whom I purchased the Tritons and Rotel was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and patient. . .but sometimes questions don't arise until you get home and hook up everything.) My listening area is my living room (about 400 sq. ft.) in my small apartment. The speakers are about 9 ft. apart and about 10 inches from the back and sidewalls.

My system is comprised of the Triton 5s, the Rotel RA-1570, Oppo 105D-BDP, Pioneer PL-550 Direct Drive Turntable with Denon-110 MC cartridge.

My questions:

1. The Rotel has a digital volume screen display. I have to turn the Rotel up to 25 to even here anything even faint, for both the turntable and the Oppo. Is this normal?

2. Is it normal to have to turn up the Rotel all the way up to 45 just to get a decent (in my view) listening level?

3. It seems my volume listening range is between 45 and 65, on the digital volume output level on the front screen of the Rotel.


a. Above 65, I seem to get distortion through the speakers at many different frequency levels.

b. When I'm that high in the volume level (which is where it seems I have to be to get quality listening), aren't I reaching levels where distortion normally starts creeping in, no matter what? It kind of disappoints me that I have to go so high on the volume to reach a listening level that a like. . .but just a touch further and I'm into noticeable distortion areas.

Okay, I must admit that I have only about 10 hours listening time on the Tritons and the Rotel, and that things will "smooth out" a bit at about 60 hours, as my audiophile friends tells me. But I'm still going to have to turn the Rotel up to about at least 55 to get a decent listening level, and that worries me because it would seem on the edge of distortion, given that the Rotel likely has a maximum level of 100.

4. On my Oppo 105, under speaker configuration, there is a trim option, which I have at 0, and a distance level, which I have at 9 feet. Does anyone have any thoughts on how adjustments to trim or distance might help smooth out distortion at the 65+ level, when the Oppo is my listening source.

5. On the Oppo's output volume, I used to listen comfortably with the output at 85. Now when I go past 80 on the output level on the Oppo to the Rotel to the Triton's, I get a muddling of sound.

6. Finally. . .and I understand the Triton's have passive bass radiators, not woofers, per se. . .but I can't seem to listen to loud rock 'n' roll music without a lot of distortion and muddling of sound at all levels. I tried listening to El Camino by the Black Keys on the Oppo at any level through the Rotel and Tritons, and it just isn't happening.

Let me close on a positive. When I listen to, say, CSN by Crosby, Stills and Nash on vinyl or The Best of Tracy Chapman on CD, and keep the volume level at about 54-55, the sound is full, great soundstage, no distortion or muddling of sound, and a very warm and inviting experience. I am happy with my purchase, but, heck, it was quite a bit of change - both monetarily and spiritually, as spiritually relates to how we listen to our music - and I don't want to be limited to a quality listening level between 45-65 volume level and want to be able to listen to my entire music catalog, which includes hundreds and LPs and thousands of CDs, some of which I'd like to listen to at a louder level, if possible, without the distortion that occurs above 65 on the Rotel. And again, I can't seem to listen to anything below 45, because volume at or below that level seems distant and faint.


I thank you all in advance for taking the time to answer any or all of my questions. This is such a valuable forum and group.


Markinrockford

1. Seems normal but the volume position alone doesn't really mean a whole lot.
2. Could also be normal as it depends on the input level, the room, and what you consider as decent level. Example: What one considers decent, another may consider it too quiet, or too loud.
3. If you are getting distortions at 65, it could mean the Rotel is clipping at that level. Again, volume position alone does not tell the story, I suggest you measure the SPL using "C" weighting to find out how loud you were listening and at what distance from the speakers. Dimensions of your room LXWXH will also help.
4. If you are using the 105 as a two channel player using the analog outputs, don't worry about those settings. Regarding distortions, see 3. above, the distance won't help and they are for multiple channel using the multichannel anlaog inputs.
5. Since you are using the 105 as a media player, not a preamp, you should set the volume to "fixed". If you prefer to leave it in "variable", set it to 100%.
6. That kind of loud music typically are of lower recording/mastering quality. If you want to hear high quality sound you need to get some high quality recording material. I think you will have better luck with getting high quality recording CDs/SACDs. If you stick with the likes of products of Telarc, Sheffield Lab, Reference recordings, Wilson Audio, Chesky, Chandos or equivalent digital files.

You can also try using the 105's digital outputs as the Rotel has build in DACs and see if you like it better.

 

[Mark Ricotta]

Hi Everyone. . .

Thank you for all your responses. I have read, evaluated and tried all of them, and discussed a couple of them further with other people (like a customer service person at Oppo) and have implemented some of them. I’ll address everyone’s responses and follow-up questions posed to me in the responses. (Again, thanks!)

1. The speaker cable and interconnect questions posed by T. Cobe: The dealer in Madison, where I bought the Tritons - who was a heckuva nice guy, extremely knowledgeable, patient and professional – suggested speaker cables for me that are AudioQuest FLX db-14/2. He said that these cables would work fine for me with the Triton 5s, given that the price was only slightly more than a dollar per foot. I later learned that the “db” stands for “direct burial” and that these cables are sold based on price and safety. My cables only lay on my living room floor, so frankly I don’t know why he suggested “deep burial” cables, but I trusted him (and still do) and bought them. He connected banana plugs to all eight 14 awg ends of the cables. I got a feeling some of you may tell me to change or upgrade immediately. . and I’m open-minded to this. . .but I’d hate to forgo the $50 I spent on 20 total feet of speaker cable plus banana plugs attached. But I will. . .
   

My interconnects between the Oppo 105 and the Rotel RA-1570 are AudioQuest Golden Gate RCA cables. I may switch to XLR balanced input cables, if you guys suggest that. . .or I may switch to optical (is that a digital output?), if you guys think either of these will give me better sound. (See point 3.)

1. I switched out the Denon DL-110 MC cartridge (1.6 mV) and replaced it with my Shure m97xe MM cartridge (4.0 mV) and am getting quality sound through the Triton 5s at the 50 volume level now for my phono input on the Rotel RA-1570.
   
   
2. Okay, now the Oppo BDP-105D and issues I’ve brought up and you’ve all so kindly responded to:
   
   
   a. I tried turning the volume on the Oppo to 100 so that I wouldn’t have to turn the volume on the Rotel to 60 to get a decent sound level. When doing this, way too much distortion, even at, say, 40 volume level on the Rotel. I discussed this with an Oppo rep (who buy the way said most people do, in fact, keep their Oppo volume level at 100) and he suggested the reason I may be getting such muddling and distortion through the Rotel and thus the Tritons (when the Oppo output is set to 100) is that the 2.2 volts produced by the Oppo when it is at 100 volume may exceed what the Rotel can accept. I don’t know how to verify this and still play the Rotel at 60 volume level with the Oppo at 80 volume level. But I’m kinda stuck there in the sense if I try to go louder by increasing the volume on either the Rotel or Oppo, it’s not pleasant, and listening fatigue sets in in about 10 seconds. . .distortion and muddling. So I kind of still have one small listening range with the Oppo: Set it at 80. . .any higher on the Oppo and it causes distortion at any volume of the Rotel. . .and variate between 50 and 60 on the Rotel. I’d like to have a wider listening range with respect to volume, but can’t find a way to get there.

1. 
   b. One person suggested that they only way I’m going to get wider volume listening range on the Rotel with the Oppo (and as well with the Pioneer turntable with the Shure cartridge to a similar degree) is to upgrade from the 120-watt Rotel to something like a 200- to 300-watt amplifier. Kinda don’t want to hear that being that I just purchased the Rotel RA-1570 and Triton 5s this past Friday.
   

I think that answers and responds to everyone’s questions and suggestions.

Remaining open-minded and grateful in Rockford,

Markinrockford

 

[slipperybidness]

Regarding the carts---1 of those is MC and the other is MM. Typically, the output signal of the MC is much lower than MM! Does the Rotel have a switch for MM/MC? I'm not certain, but looking at the rear of the 1570, I suspect that it can ONLY handle MM carts. So, that would explain 1 problem.

As far as the Oppo and Rotel not being able to handle 2.2V.....that sounds dang fishy to me! That is why you have an input attenuator on the Rotel (ie a volume knob).

b. One person suggested that they only way I’m going to get wider volume listening range on the Rotel with the Oppo (and as well with the Pioneer turntable with the Shure cartridge to a similar degree) is to upgrade from the 120-watt Rotel to something like a 200- to 300-watt amplifier. Kinda don’t want to hear that being that I just purchased the Rotel RA-1570 and Triton 5s this past Friday.
Again, that sounds pretty dang fishy to me. I wouldn't even consider this option just yet.

I think you have a problem. Something isn't connected correctly, something isn't configured correctly, or something is malfunctioning!

 

[fmw]

Two comments. The dealer is doing you no favors suggesting you buy expensive cables. The only benefit will be to his bottom line. You will need to choose a moving magnet (MM) cartridge unless you want to buy an external moving coil preamplifier. Either option will solve your problem.

 

[PENG]

I think that answers and responds to everyone’s questions and suggestions.

Remaining open-minded and grateful in Rockford,

Markinrockford

Thanks for the feedback but please kindly re-read item 2 and 3 in my post#2. My main point is that we cannot just go by your volume position because that does not mean much as it depends on many factors. It can be normal even if you have to turn the volume higher, or lower. We need to know the actual SPL (sound pressure level) at your listening position so we can at least estimate whether a more powerful Rotel can help or not.

For example, if your room is small, you are sitting only 8 to 12 ft from your speakers and you are listening to SPL of only 70 to even 80 dB (decibel) average, then the power of the Rotel is not the problem.

So please provide your approx room dimensions, sitting distance and we can then at least try to eliminate whether the 120W Rotel is the problem. I doubt it is, but let's try to rule that out first.

I have the Oppo 105, and I have no distortions whatsoever with variable volume set to 100, and in your application you really should set it to fixed.

Lastly, have you tried using the digital output of the Oppo? You mentioned optical, that would be fine, just use that output and connect it to the Rotel's optical input. Just make sure you set the Oppo's digital output to LPCM.

 

[PENG]

Mark, one more thing, in case you might have messed up the Oppo's setting you may want to do a reset to factory default and go from there. Once reset, do not mess with the multichannel settings such as speaker trim levels, distance and bass management stuff, just leave them alone.

 

[Mark Ricotta]

Hi Peng. Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

I have attached a jpeg (had to reduce file size and image quality in order to be able to attach) of my listening area.

I don’t have a SPL meter, so I don’t know how to determine what the SPL is where I sit and listen to music, which is on my couch, which is just left of the large glass table in the image. It’s about 9 feet from each speaker.

Regarding the setting of the volume level on the Rotel: in the GoldenEar info manual that came with the Triton 5s, there is a “warning” in there that states normal listening level is between 11 and 1 o’clock on the volume knob. Since volume is displayed digitally, I presume that 1 o’clock is at 60, and I’m scared to go too much past there, because the manual states that going past 1 o’clock (or 60 on my digital display) may cause damage from distortion that is not covered by the warranty. (The digital display maxes out at 95.)

Regarding the Oppo and the 100 setting. . .I wish I could attach a sound file. When I set the Oppo to 100 (which is what the ‘fixed’ setting is set at), and then reach a volume level that begins to be audible using the Rotel volume knob, the sound emanating from the Tritons sounds so “crowded” and out of sync, in the sense that high frequencies, such as cymbals are over-exaggerated at the expense of anything-but-smooth midrange. Again, my fear is damaging the speakers.

Also, I did do a reset on the Oppo. Trim is at 0.00 and Distance is set at 9 ft., while speaker setting is set to Large.

I don’t know if this helps. . .hope it does. Reaching a point of frustration, but not giving up.

Thank you.

Markinrockford

 

[PENG]

Hi Peng. Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

I have attached a jpeg (had to reduce file size and image quality in order to be able to attach) of my listening area.

I don’t have a SPL meter, so I don’t know how to determine what the SPL is where I sit and listen to music, which is on my couch, which is just left of the large glass table in the image. It’s about 9 feet from each speaker.

Regarding the setting of the volume level on the Rotel: in the GoldenEar info manual that came with the Triton 5s, there is a “warning” in there that states normal listening level is between 11 and 1 o’clock on the volume knob. Since volume is displayed digitally, I presume that 1 o’clock is at 60, and I’m scared to go too much past there, because the manual states that going past 1 o’clock (or 60 on my digital display) may cause damage from distortion that is not covered by the warranty. (The digital display maxes out at 95.)

Regarding the Oppo and the 100 setting. . .I wish I could attach a sound file. When I set the Oppo to 100 (which is what the ‘fixed’ setting is set at), and then reach a volume level that begins to be audible using the Rotel volume knob, the sound emanating from the Tritons sounds so “crowded” and out of sync, in the sense that high frequencies, such as cymbals are over-exaggerated at the expense of anything-but-smooth midrange. Again, my fear is damaging the speakers.

Also, I did do a reset on the Oppo. Trim is at 0.00 and Distance is set at 9 ft., while speaker setting is set to Large.

I don’t know if this helps. . .hope it does. Reaching a point of frustration, but not giving up.

Thank you.

Markinrockford

On my analog preamps I have never had to set the volume pass 11 O'Clock for most inputs. Triton must be just trying to play safe and I don't blame them. While there are many factors that affect the volume position for a particular level of output, it is also reasonable to assume at least in most cases, 1 O'Clock position indeed can be dangerously high and would most likely equate to at least 80 or even approach 95 on your Rotel.

Given that you are sitting only 9' from the speakers, I would say your Rotel has more than enough power for your application so power is not the issue here. Please take one more troubleshooting step by using the digital output of the Oppo, either optical or coax will be fine, the Rotel can take both. Again, remember to set the Oppo digital output to LPCM. The reason why I am urging you to do this is to eliminate the settings and/or connection at the Oppo end being the issue, or not. By using the digital output, the Rotel will be almost in full control as the Oppo will just be doing the decoding and not much else.

Edit: I forgot to ask you to clarify one point. You talked about the 105's speaker settings in your previous posts even after I told you they were to multi-channel I/Os but are you actually using the multichannel F/L analog outs? If you are, have you try using the dedicated stereo outputs that you really should be using with the Rotel. Either way it should result in the distortions you are getting but again, every little hints will help troubleshooting the root cause(s).

 

[Mark Ricotta]

Hi Peng. . .

Before I try different input connectors to the Rotel from the Oppo – given my limited budget – what would you suggest I try first: the optical connection, the coax, or the balanced XLR connectors? As mentioned previously, I’m now using AudioQuest Golden Gate RCA connectors through the analog input.

Also, big breakthrough (although the Oppo-related issue still persists): It's not the Triton 5s, I think. It's the Rotel. Let me please explain.

I connected my old Kenwood this morning, and I get fine low distortion sound through the Tritons with the Kenwood (KA-701) at the volume knob turned to 3-4 maximum (where I would usually have it with other speakers), whereas the Rotel forces me to be at 5 (50)-6 (60) at the least to get something - anything - resembling good sound, not to mention sound period. A touch past that and distortion sets in dramatically. And that scares me, because I do not want to damage the speakers. So I am stuck in a listening range between, say, 50 to 62, on the Rotel. And 62 is really pushing the boundary, producing crowded, distorted sound.

Also, if this makes sense, I cannot listen to the Triton 5s quietly through the Rotel using the Oppo (which I love, by the way) it has to be 50+, with its attendant decibel output at certain frequencies only. I hear nothing resembling good sound and dialogue at a low “evening/morning” level at about 54. Makes it very difficult to listen to movies at night in my apartment or music in the morning.

Finally, I listened to the Eagles (RIP Glenn Frey and thank you for your gift. . .Heaven now has another voice to add to its choir) Blu-Ray DVD “Farewell Tour: Live from Melbourne” last night. . .but for only two songs. Just a completely unbalanced sound. Cymbals were biting, harmonies were faint, snare was absent, strings were almost nonexistent. It’s gotta be the Rotel or my interconnects at this point, because this DVD sounded spectacular in all previous listens with other amplifiers and speakers.

So, what would you suggest I try first: the optical connection, the coax, or the balanced XLR connectors? As mentioned previously, I’m now using AudioQuest Golden Gate RCA connectors through the analog input.

Thank you!

Still hanging in there with hope, trust and gratitude towards all.

Markinrockford

 

[PENG]

So, what would you suggest I try first: the optical connection, the coax, or the balanced XLR connectors? As mentioned previously, I’m now using AudioQuest Golden Gate RCA connectors through the analog input.

Thank you!

Still hanging in there with hope, trust and gratitude towards all.

Markinrockford

Try the optical or coax first, either one your choice. I still would like to know if you have been using the Oppo's dedicated stereo outputs or the multichannel outputs. Your mentioning of tinkering with the speaker settings implied you are using the multichannel outputs.

 

[Mark Ricotta]

By dedicated stereo outputs, I think you mean the L and R outputs on the left rear of the Oppo.

I'm using the dedicated stereo outputs. . .always have been. I tinkered with the speaker settings until I learned they only applied to multichannel listening, except for Trim, which is now set at 0.00. (For the record, Speaker - for FL and FR - is set to Large and Distance is set at 9 ft.) I think those are set correctly, as they may apply to stereo output. (I will say, in my most recent system before this one, when I would alternate between Large and Small and/or increase/decrease Distance, I'm pretty sure I heard a variation in sound. I know I heard a variation when I increased/decreased Trim, as I should have, correct?)

Regarding the interconnect issue that may be the final issue (I hope/think) needed to be solved with respect to the operation of the Rotel and Oppo: I think I will go with your suggestion and go with a coax first. I was thinking of AudioQuest Cinnamon coax, but my audio dealer suggested my system would be better served by AudioQuest Carbon coax. Your thoughts before I buy?

Is a coax output really going to be a distinct difference versus the AudioQuest Golden Gate RCA interconnects I'm using now? If so, I'm excited to hear that. At the least, I'm hoping, as you have suggested might be the case, that this could solve the volume/distortion issue produced through the Tritons and the Rotel from the Oppo.

For the record, the HDMI on the back of the Oppo is plugged into HDMI Out 1 and is connected to my TV for DVD viewing. (I don't think that has any impact on sound produced through my stereo system, whether that be from a movie/concert DVD or CD I'm playing as the source. I mute the volume on my TV when playing a DVD.)

Thank you again, Peng. Look forward to your recommendation vis-a-vis the coax.

 

[Mark Ricotta]

Oh yes, I forgot to ask, and it may sound too fundamental, but with coax, it's just a single cable, correct?

 

[PENG]

Oh yes, I forgot to ask, and it may sound too fundamental, but with coax, it's just a single cable, correct?

It is a single cable. Please don't spend more than $20 on some such cable. You dealer may want you to buy one that has high margin on.

Speaker trim and distance has no effects on the dedicated stereo outputs.

 

[Mark Ricotta]

It was suggested to me to go with AudioQuest Carbon coax, but you're saying don't spend the money ($170) for AudioQuest Carbon? Go to BestBuy instead and buy a $20 coax cable?

 

[adk highlander]

There is no need to buy any of those expensive cables unless you are showing them off as they will make no positive audible difference. In fact you can use one of the ones you have for co-ax just to test your sound issues.

I am still confused as to why you have not set the output to fixed. Variable set to max may have an audible difference than being set to variable as it should take the internal volume out of the chain.

 

[Mark Ricotta]

I have switched to coax with a $15 coax connector purchased from Best Buy. Sounds very good. Don't know why, but I am tempted to go for the AudioQuest Carbon coax, given it is supposed to minimize distortion, maximize bandwidth and the fact it has shield coverage. Is it all in my mind? There will be no audible difference with a better coax connector than the $15 Best Buy connector?

On the Oppo, I have set the volume to fixed and digital output to LPCM. Sounding pretty darn good, with volume set at 55.

I have about 15 hours each into both the Tritons and the Rotel. Looking forward to a bit of smoothing out with the Tritons (both midrange and treble) in the days ahead; GoldenEar recommends 40-60 hours break-in period.

Wow. Everyone has been so very, very helpful. I feel as though I am finally finished overreacting and feeling overwhelmed with questions and concerns. . .or at least, things in my mind that I perceived as questions or concerns.

I guess the final question is do I upgrade the coax or not. I hear so much genuine debate on both sides of the issue. I should remember from my grad school days studying marketing psychology that a higher price point generates a strong perception in most consumers' minds that they are automatically getting a "better" product, when comparing products of similar function. . .unless they are skeptical and receive informed advice from people who have direct experience in using that specific product. You are providing me that experience, Highlander, and I don't discount it. . .in fact I value it very much. But I also have my audio dealer who strongly suggests I go with the AudioQuest Carbon coax. . .and not even have to buy it from
him. So here I sit thinking again one more time. . .

Markinrockford This has been added as an edit after I posted the above post 15 minutes ago: I just called my contact at Oppo and he stated that the more expensive coax cable would not make any difference whatsoever. I am stunned. I have a master's degree in marketing, but still cannot fathom how AudioQuest, etc., continues to sell so many expensive interconnects, if in fact there is no audible difference. The "marketing" of these products, reinforced through various media with consistent messaging, has so persuaded me that the extra cost does in fact make an audible difference. . .so much so that I remain unsure and unpersuaded. . .for now. Wow!

 

[slipperybidness]

I have switched to coax with a $15 coax connector purchased from Best Buy. Sounds very good. Don't know why, but I am tempted to go for the AudioQuest Carbon coax, given it is supposed to minimize distortion, maximize bandwidth and the fact it has shield coverage. Is it all in my mind? There will be no audible difference with a better coax connector than the $15 Best Buy connector?

On the Oppo, I have set the volume to fixed and digital output to LPCM. Sounding pretty darn good, with volume set at 55.

I have about 15 hours each into both the Tritons and the Rotel. Looking forward to a bit of smoothing out with the Tritons (both midrange and treble) in the days ahead; GoldenEar recommends 40-60 hours break-in period.

Wow. Everyone has been so very, very helpful. I feel as though I am finally finished overreacting and feeling overwhelmed with questions and concerns. . .or at least, things in my mind that I perceived as questions or concerns.

I guess the final question is do I upgrade the coax or not. I hear so much genuine debate on both sides of the issue. I should remember from my grad school days studying marketing psychology that a higher price point generates a strong perception in most consumers' minds that they are automatically getting a "better" product, when comparing products of similar function. . .unless they are skeptical and receive informed advice from people who have direct experience in using that specific product. You are providing me that experience, Highlander, and I don't discount it. . .in fact I value it very much. But I also have my audio dealer who strongly suggests I go with the AudioQuest Carbon coax. . .and not even have to buy it from
him. So here I sit thinking again one more time. . .

Markinrockford

You are wasting your $ with fancy cables! End of story. If you don't believe that, then feel free to waste your $ any way that you see fit.

Heck, from the info that you have provided, you may even have a fancy cable that is defective right out of the box.

If I were in your situation, I would speak to my dealer and try to get my $ back on the cables.

 

[Mark Ricotta]

I truly appreciate your candor, honesty and experience, Slippery. I am not going to purchase any new cable and will enjoy my music with the $15 BestBuy coax. . . sounds fine to me. If you'd like, please read the additional paragraph I added as an edit to the post that you read.

 

[PENG]

I truly appreciate your candor, honesty and experience, Slippery. I am not going to purchase any new cable and will enjoy my music with the $15 BestBuy coax. . . sounds fine to me. If you'd like, please read the additional paragraph I added as an edit to the post that you read.

That would be a good decision. If you spent high $ on that cable you would likely hear better sound just because of the Placebo effect, and sound like you do know that already. So in the end it is up to you how much you value the Placebo effect.

Just a couple other points, if fixed volume fixed your distortions issue, then I would say there may be something wrong with your Oppo's variable output circuit. It seems unlikely but the logic is there.

When you use the coax output from the Oppo and set the output to LPCM, anything you messed around in the speaker configuration menu will have effects on the output because the Oppo will downmix the signal to the dedicated stereo outputs. If you set the Oppo output to bitstream then you won't have this issue. I asked you to set it to LPCM only because your Rotel won't decode bitstream signal so you have no choice. I also asked you to try the digital output for troubleshooting purpose only. So if by using fixed output you fixed the distortions issue then you should go back to use the dedicated stereo outputs of the Oppo to take advantage of the better DACs. I doubt the difference between the two DACs are audible but if the Oppo's are of higher quality, then you should use them whether you can hear a difference or not, but obviously that's your decision to make.