Just want to add I had a similar issue with Zu Definitions on bright top end as a result of a lean midrange---turned out it was a very poor match with my BAT integrated. I switched to a McIntosh and things fell right into place.
It was very similar to JA's view of the Essence in Stereophile---he switched to a tube amp for the same reasons. With no crossover, I've never heard a speaker so amplifier dependent---it's like the amp goes straight to the coils of these speakers (same could be said probably for Audio Note, Avantgarde, and other HE speakers).
Zu Definitions should be paired with warm SS (ala McIntosh) or a tube amp imo. I think AZs should be paired with tube amps as well from my limited experience with the Adagios.
It was very similar to JA's view of the Essence in Stereophile---he switched to a tube amp for the same reasons. With no crossover, I've never heard a speaker so amplifier dependent---it's like the amp goes straight to the coils of these speakers (same could be said probably for Audio Note, Avantgarde, and other HE speakers).
Zu Definitions should be paired with warm SS (ala McIntosh) or a tube amp imo. I think AZs should be paired with tube amps as well from my limited experience with the Adagios.