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My system's high frequencies hurt my ears

Well, to be perfectly clear it doesn't always hurt my ears but I've been getting a little fatigued at times and I'm trying to diagnose the problem. A few nights ago I was listening to a new 24/96 The Doors first album release and had to stop playback. I switched over to The Eagles Greatest Hits, 16/44, and found some happiness there but I wasn't completely satisfied. Perhaps some of this is psychological, maybe I was feeling a little extra sensitive, but I'm sure I've had some issues with high frequencies in the past.

Here's my setup:

Serving all music, ripped to WAV by Exact Audio Copy or downloaded via high rez sites, via Windows 7 computer running J River set to WASAPI output. Sending signal via USB to Audiophilleo USB/SPDIF converter to PS Audio Digital Link III DAC. From DAC using Nordost Baldur unbalanced RCA interconnects to PS Audio C-100 Control Amp. Speaker wires are Nordost Blue Heaven. Power cables are PS Audio Lab Cable from wall to PS Audio Duet Power Conditioner. From there I use another Lab Cable for the amp and a PS Jewel cable for the DAC. The wall plug is on its own circuit with nothing else connected. Speakers are my old but good Mirage 1090i's.

Aside from perhaps the age of the speakers do you guys see anything that stands out? I spoke to a technician from Mirage and he suggested I'm doing too much signal processing which could be a cause of uncomfortable high frequencies.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
robpriore

Showing 4 responses by jdoris

jdoris
972 posts
 
IMO, if your speakers have metal domes, they stand a very good chance of being the culprit. As ears age, they can become more sensitive to edgy highs; if you've had the speakers for a while, it could be you getting older, and not the kit, that explains your changed perception of the system.

I've got this issue, and a good many speakers lots of people like are ear bleeders for me. Two reasonably priced (by hobbyist standards) monitors that are not are Fritz Carbon 7 and Selah Veritas, for a bit more are the North Creeks (probably not currently available), and for a bit more than that, various of the Montana line. All are silk dome. I'd stay away from metal, which is IMO a far more likely culprit than "signal processing."

John
jdoris
972 posts
 
Is this a fairly straightforward speaker issue?

To repeat myself, yes, IMHO.

That said, Map and Newbee are wise to suggest some placement tinkering, which can have impact more dramatic than big investments in gear. It doesn't cost much to spend a couple of sessions messing around (perhaps with the aid of Smith's Get Better Sound).

If this fails (as I predict it will), I'd then look to change speakers. Of the speakers I commend above, both the Fritz Carbon 7 and the Selah Veritas hit your pricepoint. Both Fritz and Rick Craig are helpful guys to talk to. Hitting a show like RMAF would also be an excellent idea.

John
jdoris
972 posts
 
That's great news, Robpriore. Dramatic evidence for the importance of placement.

I humbly eat crow, courtesy of Mapman and Newbee.
jdoris
972 posts
 
Are you still suffering earbleeditis after your placement sessions, Robpriore? Maybe we spoke to soon, and it's times to cut and run.

John
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