Dead or Alive

[edshull]

I've put together what I think is a decent system for the money and space.

Bluesound Node 2
Parasound Halo 2 Pre-Amp
Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 3
Magnepan MMC2's with a DWM on each
REL Strata 3 Sub
Signal Cable Silver reference speaker cable

On the right tracks, it's magic. Live stuff is wonderful with a solid soundstage. Some albums like Michael Jackson and Leonard Cohen just pop right out of the speakers into my living room, giving me that thing I always loved about Magnepan.

But other albums, like Van Halen's 1984, and other rock stuff, just falls flat. The drums just slush into the music, and sometimes the sweet spot just makes it sound like a well placed crappy radio in the center. The music is incredibly live 80% of the time, and dead the rest.

I'm getting some amazing big sound of these, so I know they're capable. And I've had Magnepans before that rocked out regardless of the track, so I know these tracks can sound better. Any advice? Or has anyone ran into the same thing?

[brubacca]

I think that the general consensus is that most early rock, particularly Van Halen is recorded very poorly. Every once in awhile I get a bug to listen to some VH especially 1984 as I have the original LP and the original CD and have the same reaction as you. I heard the the remastered versions on HD Tracks are pretty good. Maybe worth investigation. I have not.

Just saying it may not be your system.

[qdtjni]

I also recommend the Van Halen ones at HD Tracks.
Was pleasantly suprised with the good quality sound.

On another note, I've been trying to find a good sounding version of Rainbow's Rising album, so far with no luck.

[creimes]

Listening to Van Halen via Tidal HiFi I haven`t experienced any issues with SQ, in fact last summer I had VH cranked(like really cranked ) on my Emotiiva outdoor speakers and even my neighbor was in musical bliss haha, one thing I like about Tidal is that there seems to be a decent amount of re-mastered albums.

If your system can achieve great SQ I would have to say it`s the recording itself making it fall flat but I`m not familiar with Magnepan speakers and if they can play good with every music genre ?

Chad

[Wideawake]

Jan 18, 2017 10:25:44 GMT -5 qdtjni said:

I also recommend the Van Halen ones at HD Tracks.
Was pleasantly suprised with the good quality sound.

On another note, I've been trying to find a good sounding version of Rainbow's Rising album, so far with no luck.

Love the Rainbow Rising album. I used to have the LP but I gave away all my vinyls many decades ago. Should have held on to some of them. Oh well! Although I wouldn't be able to play any of them, LOL.

[mfeust]

Garbage in, garbage out

Mark

[qdtjni]

Jan 18, 2017 10:44:22 GMT -5 Wideawake said:

Jan 18, 2017 10:25:44 GMT -5 qdtjni said:

I also recommend the Van Halen ones at HD Tracks.
Was pleasantly suprised with the good quality sound.

On another note, I've been trying to find a good sounding version of Rainbow's Rising album, so far with no luck.

Love the Rainbow Rising album. I used to have the LP but I gave away all my vinyls many decades ago. Should have held on to some of them. Oh well! Although I wouldn't be able to play any of them, LOL.

Can be found on Tidal in two versions, the Los Angeles Mix on the Deluxe edition is not to scabby sound wise.

[Wideawake]

Thanks qdtjni. I'll check it out. You brought back many good old memories by mentioning the Rainbow Rising album.

[garbulky]

Magnepans are sensitive to placement and not easy to get right. They aren't necessarily the most jump out in terms of volume. Speaker placement, toe in, and room treatments may help here. But I think a large part may simply be the Maggies.