Veiled 'wet blanket' sound from tweeters


Is it my speakers or my amp?

My gear consists of B&W PM1 with Rotel Integrated RA-1570.  

I'm experiencing a lack of detail and separation from the speakers , specifically at the tweeter source.   Switching between headphones (Grado RS1) and speakers, it is like there is a heavy blanket covering the tweeters.  Midrange/bass is fine.

Switching sources between DAC/Turntable yeilds no difference.

I'm actually wondering if the crossovers have been damaged.   

I don't really have the luxury of switching components.  Any ideas on what my next steps should be?




gmckay1960

Showing 1 response by dynacohum

PM-1s are very low efficiency mini-monitors with only 84dB sensitivity.  The RA 1570 has 120 wpc...enough for a small room at medium volume with no clipping....but if you get carried away and overdrive tha amp you can damage the tweeter or crossover resistor.  I don't believe there are any fuses or protective circuits, and the network is said to be a simple LCR with top quality components.  If the level is way down I'd suspect that resistor.