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Help. System sounds thin and bright or harsh

Hope this isn't redundant tried to post in Tech Talk

Just moved my system to a new home/sound room and it still sounds harsh and a bit thin despite supposedly "warm" sounding Harbeth 30.1 speakers. This issue is not new and I had put the blame on the old listening room.  Can't figure out what the problem is. I listen loud at 80dcbl or higher and sit nearfield about 8 feet from the speaker plane. (sound is thin and bright from afar as well) I have experimented in both homes with speaker placement, toe-in and the like. Speakers are placed a lil over 3 feet from the rear wall and about two and a half feet from side walls.  I feel something is off. Perhaps a component or two that is known to be tipped up in the highs and a lil bass shy?? Also, I leave all solid state components fully powered up 24/7. (not the tubes)

System:

Modwright/Oppo BDP 105 disc player  (all mods with tubed power supply and pricey NOS tube upgrades throughout)  Looking to replace once the harshness/bright issue is nailed down.

Parasound JC2 Preamp

Pass Labs X250.5 Amp

Harbeth 30.1 stand mount speakers

Puritan Labs PSM 156 power conditioner. (less "edgy" sound with it in system)

System is run all balanced with fairly costly Cardas interconnects.

All input is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Happy listening.

 

 

cymivka

Showing 4 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 

OP,

 

Your comment about “Being able to crank it even more”, I think says something about what you value in sound. Have you auditioned a large number of speakers? I would recommend doing a tour of speakers at dealers. Try B&W… and what ever other high end brands are available. I think you may have a speaker sound / value mismatch. You want speakers that really appeal to your values.
 

Your physical move… your change in venues, changed the speaker requirements. I think this is complicating things. 
 

Did you post photos in your virtual system, under your ID? This can be really helpful for us to be helpful.

ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 

My preamp has been the thing I loved the most… still is, my Audio Research Reference 6SE… the heart of my system. 👍

ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 

Unfortunately a better preamp will help, larger speakers, and swapping the amp. It just sounds each will make a pretty big difference, but one itself is unlikely to make the full jump you want. 
 

If you come to that conclusion as well. Typically it is best to start by choosing speakers first. They are the most important component of a compatible system (with well chosen equal level components). As true as this is, I always have valued my preamp most and would get this right (and the very best I could afford) and then  carry it over more than one system upgrade. 
 

 

ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 

My first thoughts all centered around positioning. But it sounds like you have covered that. Secondly floor and wall treatments. It would be really helpful to us if you could upload photos of your system and venue to virtual systems under your UserID. Often, one look can completely redirect the discussion to some relavent factor. 

I have owned lots of Pass gear and the line that sounds more in line with your interests would be the XA line. They are much warmer and more natural. Tubes… everywhere and anywhere are appropriate.

 

Parasound preamps are not known to be particularly trebly or hot on the top… but a good tube preamp will definitely more to your liking… maybe used Audio Reseach or Conrad Johnson… Rouge can be a bit hot for tube gear.

 

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