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Help. System sounds thin and bright or harsh

Hope this isn't redundant tried to post in Tech Talk

Just moved my system to a new home/sound room and it still sounds harsh and a bit thin despite supposedly "warm" sounding Harbeth 30.1 speakers. This issue is not new and I had put the blame on the old listening room.  Can't figure out what the problem is. I listen loud at 80dcbl or higher and sit nearfield about 8 feet from the speaker plane. (sound is thin and bright from afar as well) I have experimented in both homes with speaker placement, toe-in and the like. Speakers are placed a lil over 3 feet from the rear wall and about two and a half feet from side walls.  I feel something is off. Perhaps a component or two that is known to be tipped up in the highs and a lil bass shy?? Also, I leave all solid state components fully powered up 24/7. (not the tubes)

System:

Modwright/Oppo BDP 105 disc player  (all mods with tubed power supply and pricey NOS tube upgrades throughout)  Looking to replace once the harshness/bright issue is nailed down.

Parasound JC2 Preamp

Pass Labs X250.5 Amp

Harbeth 30.1 stand mount speakers

Puritan Labs PSM 156 power conditioner. (less "edgy" sound with it in system)

System is run all balanced with fairly costly Cardas interconnects.

All input is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Happy listening.

 

 

cymivka
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

I'm going to say the Harbeths are just not cutting it. Small two way speakers seldom do (unless you like a lean sound). You need a bigger 3 way to get the warm midrange you are looking for. 

nevada_matt
155 posts
 

Depending on how handy you are, or your free cash…

Either build or buy some acoustic panels.

good video on diy:

 

nevada_matt
155 posts
 

Oh yeah, a good r2r dac, or even a ds dac with various “warm” filters (mine is a gustard r26, generally in NOS, which replaced an smsl -su 10) but those with more free cash can find something more expensive for a small improvement. 

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 

Lots of thoughts.  I don’t think your equipment including the DAC is terribly warm.  That said, it is not like you have obnoxiously bright stuff either.  
 

Thinness can come from a few places.  Tell us more about the room.  Carpeting?  Wall treatment?  Pictures, windows, curtains, etc…. How far do you sit from the speakers?  
 

Do you have a subwoofer?  Those start rolling off above 50hz and it is going to sound thin at lower volumes.  A good sub could help that out potentially.  That along could be your issue with fullness.  Regarding edginess, That could be a single component.  Might be the JC2, might be the pass.  I have a Modwright UDP 205 here paired with AGD amp and preamp and it is sweet and musical.  
 

I would  try a sub.  Let’s here more about your room but you might borrow an amp or preamp from your retailer that you work with to see if it helps.  

ghdprentice
6,446 posts
 

My first thoughts all centered around positioning. But it sounds like you have covered that. Secondly floor and wall treatments. It would be really helpful to us if you could upload photos of your system and venue to virtual systems under your UserID. Often, one look can completely redirect the discussion to some relavent factor. 

I have owned lots of Pass gear and the line that sounds more in line with your interests would be the XA line. They are much warmer and more natural. Tubes… everywhere and anywhere are appropriate.

 

Parasound preamps are not known to be particularly trebly or hot on the top… but a good tube preamp will definitely more to your liking… maybe used Audio Reseach or Conrad Johnson… Rouge can be a bit hot for tube gear.

 

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