I also used the Apt years ago and didn't find it bright. I used Supex 900 and 901 cartridges then. It is possible that it is simply more accurate than the Creek and your system is brighter than you like. You might try the Audio Technica OC 9 if you want to change cartridges.
Taming a Bright Phono Section
I recently aquired an Apt Holman pre-amp. This pre-amp has
really stood the test of time. The phono section is very transparent
albeit a tad bright. Now I'm not using any esoteric gear, just a
Philips GA-212, another piece to stand the test of time, and an
Ortofon OM cartridge. I've had a Creek OBH-8SE phono pre-amp
used with the same above and it was by no means bright. So it is
the phono section. Any suggestions on how I might be able to tame this brightness.
really stood the test of time. The phono section is very transparent
albeit a tad bright. Now I'm not using any esoteric gear, just a
Philips GA-212, another piece to stand the test of time, and an
Ortofon OM cartridge. I've had a Creek OBH-8SE phono pre-amp
used with the same above and it was by no means bright. So it is
the phono section. Any suggestions on how I might be able to tame this brightness.