It's not the sound I want!

I have listened to the Aeriels with Classe` equipment and I can assure you the problem is not the speakers. They are wonderful with the Classe` gear. Try "The Cable Company", They will let you audition Harmonic Technology cables. They are not expensive (relative to your system) and at the least can let you relax a bit while listening to the Adcom. I think they may help you here. You dont have much to lose by trying them out. Good luck. Let us know how things progress.

Borrow a good turntable (VPI, Gouldman, Rega, Linn, Project, etc.) from a buddy or dealer! You'll be amazed how good your system sounds. Your system is so revealing that you are hearing artifacts of the digital source.

I suggest before spending alot of money, to work on your speaker placement or room response. If your room overemphises high mids/low trebles it can be fatiguing, and acoustic and electric guitars will sound edgy or shrill. I am a guitar player and am very picky about tone, and I have never had a problem with guitar tone with my c.d. players. Maybe I've just been lucky.

I want to thank you all for your taking the time to post a response. I believe I received a lot of good information. I borrowed a Meridian 508.24 cd player and tried it with my system. The difference was not as much as I expected. There was a bit more air and transparency, and I found it to be smoother on some recordings that were quiet, like Kieth Jarret's new album of solo piano. Otherwise to me the sound was very close and at this time, I don't think worth the extra $3000. I am considering a used Meridian or Wadia 830 if I find the right deal, but on the whole I would say that this experience has helped me to appreciate the sound I have now. I also played with speaker location and found that greater toe in reduces the harsh sound I was hearing. I know there are some acoustic problems with my room, but as it is my living room, and the system already dominates, I am limited in what I can do there. I will post soon and ask for advice on this topic. I have also played with cables and interconnects (Cardas Golden Cross) and found that there is not a noticable difference here. The Jenalabs are actually more nuetral and have all the same good qualities. Thanks Again, Blbloom

Just to re-iterate what's been said from another Krell 300i owner. I would look at the cdplayer as your problem. I have an average cd player (Sony ES85 with an Audio Alchemy DITB) and sometimes experience what you describe. When I listen to the same CD recording on vinyl the brightness goes away. It happens mostly on your average rock recordings for me. That said, I have had the Levinson 39 and the Theta Miles hooked up to my Krell and the sound was glorious on every recording I tried. The Krell does take careful matching from the digital I think auditioning some good CD players will show that to you. Good luck.