Need help w/ B&W CM2

I agree that the first step is to launch the NAD amplification out the window. Sorry, but I have never heard an NAD amp that I liked and they all have the same problem you are talking about, in addition to other worse problems. I have heard the CM 2's on several occasions and in my opinion, the metal dome tweeter is just fine. These speakers have some other more subtle problems, but an etchy high register is not one of them. My recommendation is to look into amp, cables and source.

I have had good luck with the Acoustice Zen Epoch speaker cables and WOW interconnects. These smoothed out some etchy highs that some other cables produced in my old system.

As for an amp around $500 that has a less etchy sound, you may try a newer model (last 2-3 years) B&K integrated. This is the best I've heard at this price range (used), but it may still not be enough. I have heard some Linn amps that are very good, but I think they may sound best with Linn speakers using the AKTIV crossover. I don't think the Rotel should sound terribly harsh with the right cables, but I have not heard many of their recent offerings. I recently heard an Audio Refinement preamp/amp combo and was very impressed with the smoothness of the sound. The system was using Analysis Plus Oval 9 cables and similar interconnects. However, this system was also fed with a good source:

Even after an amp and cable change you may end up looking at the source. The system with the Audio Refinement amplification was fed by a McCormack UDP-1 universal disk player. What a GREAT system, but the disk player itself was over $3000. My own older system had a Magnum-Dynalab MD-308 integrated amp and the Acoustic Zen cables I mentioned earlier. The sound in the higher registers was still etchy on some (definitely not all) poorly recorded CD's, but I believe this was the fault of the source, a Denon DVD-2900 universal disk player and of the original recording. While detailed, the Denon was just not as refined as the rest of the system. The McCormack UDP-1 would likely have made a huge difference in the sound, but at a much higher price.

P.S. I am selling the MD-308 for just over $1000 if anyone is interested

I have heard the Bryston B-60 be brutal in the higher registers on many different speakers. This is why I am not a big fan of Bryston amps - they simply require VERY careful system matching to sound good to my ears. I have never heard NAD sound good in any system, but I'll keep listening and may be surprised some day.

It would be a shame to get rid of the CM2's since I have heard them sound good in several systems. They have a problem resolving complex harmonics and chords in orchestral pieces, especially when the chord stradles the crossover between the tweeter and the woofer. There seems to be a disconnect betweent the two drivers responses to some music. That said, I truly enjoy their sound on the types of rock and jazz sounds that you are having trouble with on these speakers. I have not found them to be overly bright.

You have so far not mentioned the source or the cables that you are using. From what I have heard of these speakers I really think that the fault lies elswhere. For example, in my old system that had quite good sound, some CD's that were poorly recorded sounded awful. One of the worst was Prince's Purple Rain album - it positively screems in the higher registers. I love the music on this album but the recording is among the worst I have ever heard. It was recorded and mastered at at time when some thought that "digital is perfect." They just did not completely understand the recording and mastering of digital music since it was so new. I could not listen to this album on my old system. This album may be a prime canidate for remastering.

Sometimes you can buy a remastered version of an album on which the sound is greatly improved, but not always. The remastered version of Joe Jackson's greatest hits from A&M still sounds terrible in the treble. This may be because some of the mastering studios do not have updated equipment and do not have speakers that can resolve some of the problems. Another reason could be that some record companies do not care to spend the time and money needed to do a good job of remastering. If you want to hear a good remastering of a rock album, listen to Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms" in XRCD format (playable on all CD players - buy at amusicdirect.com for $39.99). Also, all of the Sony remasters that I have heard sound good.