Like you, I had a bright system, and not being able to tweak the room (WAF is an issue) I had to try various gear and wires. Mark, you need tubes in your preamp in a big way and fortunately there's quite a selection to pick from. Some of the better Audio Research or Conrad Jonhson would fit the bill (I've owned several models of both), but if you can stretch just a bit more, I can't recommend Balanced Audio Technology enough. My BATVK30 preamp ($2100 used here on Audiogon) changed my system more than any other component I've ever had in the chain. My system is tamed now, thanks to the adding the BAT preamp, and then buying a "used" BATVK500 amplifier (with BATPAK). One other major change was going from a long run of single-ended interconnects, to Goertz Micropurl with balanced connectors. Musical? Oh YEAH!!!!!!
Newbie with "bright" system
I recently bought a new power amp, and for the first time, my system now hints at recreating a music "venue" rather than playing songs. For this long-time music fanatic, this is incredibly exciting (I now realize I'm hopelessly hooked). Pushing onward, my current system seems "bright" and "harsh," causing listening fatigue at moderate to high listening levels. It also lacks believable bass detail and extension. Looking for low to moderately priced ($300-1500) incremental, high-value upgrades - I suspect cabling and receiver as pre-amp - what to upgrade first?
Arcam Alpha 8SE - CD player
Nakamichi AV-10 as pre/pro
Bryston 4BST
B&W CDM 7SE
Bettercables IC's and biwire speaker cables
"Industrial" metal rack
Any insight/advice welcome. Thanks in advance for input. Mark
Arcam Alpha 8SE - CD player
Nakamichi AV-10 as pre/pro
Bryston 4BST
B&W CDM 7SE
Bettercables IC's and biwire speaker cables
"Industrial" metal rack
Any insight/advice welcome. Thanks in advance for input. Mark