2. amps-preamps
  3. 182262-179539

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
mceljo
1,351 posts
 

@cymivka - Have you ever had the sound you want using the Harbeth speakers?  If so, what I’m your system is different from that time?

I feel like the speaker is the most significant factor in the overall sound of any system.

cymivka OP
46 posts
 

Mceljo:    The 30'1's replaced Harbeth slh5's that were too boomy in the old listening room.  Thought the 30.1's were just right with the right recordings coupled with the modwrighted oppo bdp 105. But I often felt things were harsh or brittle at times...punchy bass,  boxy sound at times but other times there was lively detail, timbres and naturalness of the sound ,   Chalked it up to mood change or even dirty power (despite two 20 amp dedicated lines,,,sadly they are gone)  So, now Im rethinking the whole set up after I determined the Parasound JC2 has need of service.  Not really interested in listening to anything with the 105 directly feeding the Pass.  Could be tubes for output stage or even for the tubed power unit.  Just not interested in shelling out more cash for tubes that don;'t last 1/10th claimed hours (my experience at least).  Not sure of next move. Keep changing my mind.

In summary I think I was swayed by the 30.1's that gave good detail without boomy bass that rocked the entire apartment building before with the slh5's.  Now Im in a house and can crank it higher..

fredfung2021's avatar
fredfung2021
17 posts
 

which Cardas? my golden ref are warm side of neutral

Post removed 
cymivka OP
46 posts
 

My cardas cables are Clear Cygnus balanced/xlr from cd to pre and pre to amp.

More to discover