How to tame a bright system?

Tension - I use a Schiit Loki (the small one) to resolve the exact issue you are talking about. It runs in the processor loop on my receiver and is completely transparent. Only $150 too. If you get it and don't like it, I am looking for another one and will buy it from you. Just get the black one - I already have a silver one.

Geoff

@snarfie23 Two great points.  Room acoustics were my first thought too.  Is there a hard floor between you and the speakers?  If so, try adding a rug.  And a second great point, no electronic solution can correct for a problem with acoustics.  Period.  

Your setup probably suffering from digititis. You want to fix it with cables. Good luck with that. IMO the answer is a balanced power transformer. Does wonders to tame jitter. Of course no one will give my opinion any credence. Had to say it anyway. Thanks for listening.

As I went down the thread, I was going to ask why no one is bothering to mention the room, but Snarfie23 saved the day, and with empirical measurements no less.

Measuring isn’t everything, of course. But I can offer you my personal, anecdotal experience that confirms Snarfie23’s post, notwithstanding MC’s clamorous protestations to the contrary.

For 41 years, my system suffered from brightness and harshness in a 1,200 sq ft space in a 2,000 sq ft NYC loft.

Then, I moved into a townhouse that I renovated and restored. My office and (smaller, 550 sq ft) listening room is in the attic. I did not cover the 17" of rock wool insulation with sheetrock. I instead simply put fire-resistant burlap over it.

The problem went away.

As I slowly populated my bookshelves with my library, it came back, only a little.

The cliche is true: the room is 50% of your system. Maybe more.

You are welcome to try it and see if it works for you.

Full disclosure: I am neutral on cables.

@snarfie23  +1