How make my Ayre system "warmer"?

Funny, I stumbled onto this post given I'm having the same problems. I'm in the same exact boat now as Tje. I just picked up a pair of Shunyata Andromeda speaker cables last week to try. I'm running all solid state (Benchmark Dac1 and a MF A5 integrated with Cardas Golden Reference 1/2 meter ICs. The Cardas were perfect with my prior speaker cables (Audioquest Bedrock), but now they're far too bright. I know my system is on the warm side with the MF amp, but the Shunyata speaker cables are incredibly neutral and revealing and when paired with the DAC1 it only bolsters those qualities. Going to try some other ICs, since when I throw on a pair of monster RCAs or some Tributaries RCAs I have sitting around, the problem is diminished at the expense of resolution.

Long story short, I'm going to take a guess and say the Cardas ARE NOT a good match with Shunyata speaker cables.

A tube based DAC. For little money, hassle or equipment swap-out, you get some tube warmth, at least for cd. Switching cords, cables, speakers, whew!. Short of a tube pre-amp, a tube DAC is the cost/benefit answer.

1. first I follow the recommendation of Charles and I disconnect the DVI-cable between the Linn Unidisk and the TV. But we (my wife, a friend and I) don´t hear any difference. Maybe Linn made a good job, maybe my separation from the circuit breaker in the basement in two power circuits is the reason, maybe our ears… One power circuit is only for my hifi system, the other is for the rest of ground floor (lamps, TV etc.)

2. Than I borrow from a friend a tube preamp, three powercords and two pairs of balanced cables. And I bought the Ayre wood blocks (nine pieces) and use them under the equipment.

First surprise for me: The K-5xe was “warmer” than the tube preamp (an Einstein The Tube)

Second surprise: the borrowed powercords brought a BIG positive change in the system. I never believed before that powercords and other balanced cables can make a so BIG difference. BTW: why manufactures don´t put better powercords to there stuff?

Also I´m now not sure if the Cardas Golden Reference are a real good choice in my system. I like the balanced cables from my friend much more. It was like taking a curtain away.

Conclusion: I never believed before that powercords and balanced cables can make a so BIG difference.

And: I listen three days with the preamp Einstein The Tube. It´s in the 10.000 EUR range. But I prefer the synergy between the K-5xe and V-5xe more than the The Tube with the V-5xe or with the Einstein amp “Light in the dark”. The Einsteins make a deeper bass and the highs are higher but the Ayres bring me closer to the music. Listening with the Einsteins is more listening in the way of measuring. But with the Ayres I can do both: one day just listen for pleasure and one other day I can listen like a sound editor. GREAT JOB CHARLES!