Grandinote Mach 8 XL vs Mach 9 speakers
- Thread starter abeidrov
- Start date
I meant more that the tone is gray and image is totally flat and boring with the Wilson’s.
Through my headphones I hear plenty of bass with the Grandinotes but it is somewhat lighter and faster. To me the Wilson sounds bass heavy and plodding on this recording.
Transparent’s Reference and Reference XL cables have internal networks that are specifically tuned for each speaker model. When they say a cable is “calibrated for the Sasha DAW,” it means the resistor and capacitor values inside the network box are set to match that speaker’s impedance curve. Using the same cable with a different speaker, especially one with a different impedance and phase angle, can mess with the tonal balance. In that case, the low-frequency roll-off moves up, transient control gets weaker, and energy in the first octave drops. Basically, the cable’s internal network ends up filtering the wrong region instead of matching the new load. That’s probably why, in this setup, the Grandinote sounds leaner and not as full in the bass compared to the Sasha DAW, even though its drivers can easily go deep when driven right.
To fix this, try a neutral, non-networked cable like Duelund 12 GA or Kimber Kable, or for now, try the amp’s 4-ohm tap for a bit more control and give the drivers a few weeks to break in.
I’ve tried Grandinote with another SC, the result was the same. So far, the huge problem with Grandinote is some lack of dynamics compared to WA. And while this is not a big issue on simple music as in the Grandinote 3 video, it’s becoming an issue on any complex one. I’ll try Jadis and then Grandinote Shinai later this week, we’ll see.
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There is no energy in any of the 4 videos and very constrained dynamic range. You are right there is much more bass with the Wilson. I think something is wrong in the drive, it could be in the chain as well maybe the preamp and amp don’t match, or the speakers need much more power. Do you have the CH amp or Gryphon amp to check if it needs much more drive? Or AC preamp to check for pre power fit?
The first 3 videos are with the AC amp which is an integrated amplifier, so it’s not a matter of preamp.
You ran the Lampizator direct into the Genus? Do you know what the output impedance of that DAC is? If it is high, then it won’t be optimal as Genus has a low input impedance. You should use the P1 probably and use Genus as a power amp. You can turn up the volume and lock the volume control.
Have you ever checked speaker placement and measured? My $ is on non - optimized placement of the speakers and/ or your sweet spot.
I would doubt the Mephisto's capability to provide LF bass is your problem.
Also, damping factor does not necessarily mean little bass, it's about control not output.
I would doubt the Mephisto's capability to provide LF bass is your problem.
Also, damping factor does not necessarily mean little bass, it's about control not output.
Depends whether the speaker is critically damped or not. If the bass alignment is a relatively low Q then a high damping factor will sound lean.
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