2. amps-preamps
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My music sounds brighter

Hello all. All of a sudden my music sounds brighter whether I'm listening to a record or a CD. I do have to turn down the treble a bit to compensate for this and make it pleasurable to listen to. Nothing has changed with my electronics which consists of a Yanaha DSP A1 integrated amp, DBX 3BX DS dynamic range controller, Pro-ject Debut Carbon turntable with acrylic platter and Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, Wharfedale Rubiance RB 27 floor standing speakers in the front and RB 23 bookshelf speakers in the rear and a Mirage FRX S15 subwoofer.

I would have thought that if I was experiencing any deterioration of my electronics, it would be in the opposite direction with a decrease in high-end response.

Any thoughts? Thanks.
128x128cspiegs

Showing 4 responses by cspiegs

cspiegs's avatar
cspiegs OP
42 posts
 
I set up my audio system 1.5 years ago. I've made no changes in the room since.  I have the room temp at 70 degrees and humidity at 50%.  I started noticing the brightness about 2 weeks ago.  And no, I don't drink! 
cspiegs's avatar
cspiegs OP
42 posts
 
 Yes. AC has been on for a few months now.  This was not an issue last summer.
cspiegs's avatar
cspiegs OP
42 posts
 
I just had a checkup and the is nothing wrong with my ears. I don't have the ringing symptoms common with tinnitus and everything else sounds normal. I am more in line to believe there's potentially something wrong with my electronics. However, wouldn't that manifest itself as sounding a duller, not brighter? Except for my turntable and cart, all my electronics are between 20 and 30 years old.
cspiegs's avatar
cspiegs OP
42 posts
 
Not that this solves my mystery but it does improve my listening experience.  As much as I hate employing this, I simply turn down the treble control a few decibels until I'm happy with the sound. It's much better now.

There is a digital high-shelving filter and parametric equalizer (at 12.8 khz) in my Yamaha DSP A1 that I should learn to use (might be beneficial in taming harsher sounding recordings - a subject on equalizers for bad recordings I posted a few months ago) as well. 
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