To buttress some of the above thoughts and suggestions, trying different amps would also be my first thought. I am using an excellent, fairly expensive DAC (Aqua La Scala), and fine, very revealing speakers (Fink Team KIM –again, not cheap), and recently, I had a minor repair done on my integrated amp (Circle Labs A200), which I have been very happy with. I took the opportunity to try three different, high-quality integrated amps in my system, as my dealer was generous enough to allow me to do so.
The first was an Accuphase E-380, the second a Luxman L-509x, and finally a SoulNote A-2. The differences between the type of sound produced was easily discernible in each case, and I ultimately found that I preferred my A200 over all of them. But the important take-away is that system synergy always matters. I have no doubt that for other audiophiles, any of the three amps that I auditioned could be end-game components. But within the context of my system, and given my preferences (slightly warm, detailed but not clinical, etc.), they weren’t as satisfying overall as the A200 (which, by the way, costs far less than the E-380 and L-509x).
One can certainly glean useful insights from reviews and anecdotal reports, but unless the component in question is heard within the context of one’s own system, it is risky to take anything for granted.
Finally, these symptoms all strike me as being consistent with the character of the amp. Yes, they can be mitigated in other ways, but a different amp may well solve all of those issues on its own, and prove to be a more 'organic' solution.
- a bit forward sound
- sometime may a little dry/harsh sounding when source recording is poor
- lack of sweet top end