CAT SL-1 MK III vs. First Sound Presence DeLuxe

Tvad:

Interesting that you wrote that you found the First Sound lacks "sweetness." As soon as I read it, I knew exactly what you meant. I, too, have found that about the First Sound. In contrast, the CAT that I once owned (around 1992), never lacked for "sweetness," which, for me, means that ability to convey an emotion, be it poignant, tender, angry, eerie, etc. I have noticed this about the First Sound, and thought that perhaps I needed a change in components, but your comments ring true. As such, it seems a coloration that prevents music from being quite as "sweet" as it can be -- and as it is in real life. I've heard it with an Accuphase amp, Tetra speakers (where it actually managed to sound somewhat sweet), my Hurricanes, Musical Fidelity amps, but it's never quite moved me. Fascinatingly, I owned the original Presence pre-amp, which DID sound sweeter. It seems customary to assume that the newer version of a component will be superior, but I find myself at times wishing for my original First Sound, which, now that I think of it, also had a richer (not fatter, just more true-to-life) mid-bass. The current incarnation is "tighter" in the mid-bass, but somewhat to the point of leanness instead of lushness. Kind of like the difference between the WATT/Puppy 2s (sweeter) and the WATT/Puppy 3s. which were unquestionably leaner than the 2s.
Thanks for crystallizing my wistfulness about the First Sound into something more concrete.

Years later, an observation not apparent at the time.

The outlet at the time was the PS Audio outlet (I believe it's the powerport). It is possible that the PS Audio outlet, now that I've also had FIM 880 gold, and now the Oyaide R1 outlet.
The R1 outlet has no edge in the upper midrange. It is conceivable that we are hearing our outlets, not our components. Not something I would have thought of years ago, but certainly something I hear now!

Now, the kicker: the Shunyata V2 was slightly sucked out in the upper midrange, but the PS Audio MAY, I repeat, MAY have had a boost (although I did not hear this with the Marsh A400 amp) in the upper midrange. I was also using the PS Audio Statement power cord plugged in to the Ultimate outlet.
My point in this is that, without examining every single component, down to the outlet, we may be erring on our observations.
I eventually sold the Presence Deluxe Mk. II. The new owner wrote and asked me if there was an edge in the upper midrange. I found that interesting, as we had different systems. Still and all, it may have been his outlets as well.
So, we must examine EVERYTHING.