I've found that in making choices for my system, the sound tended toward being too bright unless I deliberatly chose components or cabling for their warmth. For example, I'm using Stealth CWS interconnects (similar to yours and pretty much neutral, which means they do nothing to attenuate bright, harsh sound), but I'm also using Stealth PC speaker cables, which are warmer-sounding than many silver speaker cables. I'd guess too that for those of us who like the dynamics of active preamps, your evs passive (splendid and accurate as it is) might sound bright. Before I spent big $, I'd probably try an inexpensive preamp--maybe just use the preamp section of an old receiver. I'd also try using some cheap cables, which probably would have a weak high-frequency response, just to get an idea how much the cabling contributes to the problem. Best wishes.
Quest for Audiophile Zen
I would like to apologize at the outset for what will seem yet another thread involving personal 'drama' without the benefit seemingly of any possibility of becoming provocative or interesting. However, I must head off the threat of emminent psychological demise attendant with having a stereo system that is not getting me where I need to be. I am currently using an Adcom gcd750 cd player in a system with stealth m-7 silver wires, an evs passive through a llano s200 into thiel 3.6 speakers. My system is bright and harsh and needs somewhat better control in the low frequencies. My first impulse is to upgrade the adcom and my budget will be $2000 max. Despite faithfully reading all the posts in audiogon and audio asylum, I have never been able to answer the above to my satisfaction. I would be extremely appreciative of any input from one of my more experienced audiophile collegues so that I can optimize my investment to get the best possible sound\$ Ratio.
Thanks
Thanks