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I'm confused - Different music...different speakers?

Thanks for allowing me this exploration. I've been on Audiogon before and find myself here for a very different reason this time.
I do believe my system is well resolving and will define gear at the end
Yet I keep getting steered to music genre based on sound.
What I mean by this is simple.
I can't seem to listen to old rock n roll favorites anymore.
There are albums I know from the past inside out and upside down - one example: The Allman Brother's at Fillmore East. I can mostly play every bit of this on guitar. I own three good copies on vinyl and can stream it at hi-res on Qobuz.
There are two drummers and Berry Oakley on bass- no slouch. Duane on slide...etc. An Epic and dynamic album
I can't listen to it - the metal tweeters are just aggravating. And what I remember from the bass and percussion is slam from the very opening to the end - it's not here.
What is going on here?
Gear is as follows:
Analogue side is a Nottingham Space 294, 12" Ace arm, Lyra Delos Cart and an EAR 834 MM/MC phono stage
Digital is an Antelope Zodiac plus with Voltikus power supply
All good and better cables
Totem Hawk floor standers
Amp is a Rogue Cronus w/ KT120 output tubes
Play Bill Evans or Bach ....and I can watch the paint melt off the walls and love every second of it......
I'm at a loss and thanks

smaarch1
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,907 posts
 

Yeah love those Totems but they are undersized to deliver everything with any kind of music. Think bigger! Klipsch Heritage line would be a good place to start with a good quality tube amp like yours.

 

OR adding a powered sub or two and integrated well is also a good option as suggested.

decooney
1,906 posts
 

@smaarch1 I ran two custom 12" 500w Scanspeak subs with my former Totems. It was overkill for the Totems, not for my current speakers though. Possibly quality dual 9s, 10s, (faster) could be really nice with the Hawks.

With levels adjusted down I will say it helped the overall presentation and deferring to some of the comments above by @atmasphere yes, it helped it to sound "calmer" for sure. Another good recommendation for consideration.

yeti42's avatar
yeti42
287 posts
 

One thing I noticed is over tightening the cartridge bolts can take the life out of rock music, what I don’t know is if this is specific to my arm and cartridge but it’s easy to try the cartridge bolts just tight enough to hold it in alignment and no more, listen for a bit and then progressively tighten them and listen to what it does.

I don’t suppose this is going to cure the problem but it might help.

If you’re using a mains conditioner try without.

if there’s a mains block experiment with plug order.

Make sure your cables aren’t tangled up,  power cables shouldn’t  touch signal cables and if neither touch the rack so much the better.

Might as well try the free tweaks first.

smaarch1 OP
95 posts
 

So it appears I'm looking at subwoofers. A friend has a REL to loan me and I'll give it a try.
I should qualify my complaint about the Totems. They have been very enjoyable for the last year I have owned them. 
My system has undergone a  lot of changes in this year and I'm tempted to pull the little B&W's out of the closet and have another listen
It seems the more I listen...the more I hear.

ghdprentice
6,492 posts
 

I own a set of totem’s with a matching subwoofer for my office I love them. 
 

If you want a great subwoofer you cannot go wrong with REL. They are outstanding and bring amazingly capable integration with them. 

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