2. amps-preamps
  3. 1110896216

Dreadnaught a Bit Bright?

I recently acquired a Theta Dreadnaught to drive my Aerials 8b's. Originally I was driving them with a Proceed HPA-2. Sold the HPA-2 with intentions of buying a HPA-3 to drive the front three channels in my HT. To make a long story short, I bought a Dreadnaught based on it's universally high praise. Don't get me wrong I am enjoying the music, but there are recordings that sound bright to me now. Could be my imagination since it's been almost a year (I used the Amp5 temporarily.) since I sold the HPA-2. Thought I'd check to see if anyone else shared this perception or had the chance to go side by side with the two units? Originally, I did side by side comparisons between the Proceed and a Bryson. The Proceed was clearly warmer.
quicke
bigtee
803 posts
 
After using the Dreadnaught on and off for a few years, I can say I would have never called them bright. It is, if anything, slightly laid back. (It sounds closed in until they warm up a while.) I found it to deliver sound in a very convincing way once warmed up. My major complaint was a little conjestion in the mids compared to my Ayre V5xe.
I would look at associated components including cables. You can't fault an amp for delivering what it is fed (Which I think is the case.) I have never owned the Model 8's but have heard them numerous times and I always considered them a touch bright to begin with. A neutral system is going to reveal some bright recordings because they are a bunch out there. My point is, in your system, it may be bright but I really don't think it is the amps fault.
zshuster
56 posts
 
not in my experience with a Dreadnaught I and Aerial 10Ts...Theta and Aerial are a good combination...a number of folks on AudiogoN have that configuration...what are you using for interconnects and speaker cables?
maril555
619 posts
 
I have Dreadnaught II in my system and it's not bright. Lively, dynamic, but not bright. My previous amp. Anthem MCA-50 was brighter. Regards.
jas
26 posts
 
I run a Dread I and Aerial 10-T's (newer version). I've had them a couple for a couple of months now and wouldn't say they are bright, not, that is, in comparison to other systems I've had. I would say that they are extended but real.
For example, now I can hear that little hard metal ting that you're supposed to get on triangles or cymbals. On bright systems this didn't sound realistic. The Aerials sit back a little; brighter systems jump forward at me. I've listened for 3 hours straight and was cool with it;. bright stuff runs me out after about an hour.

I use Audience Aud 24's IC, Cardas GR IC, and Audience AU24 speaker cables.

Good luck.
tdavism3
46 posts
 
I have used a Dread in the past with B&W speakers and agree that the amp has a somewhat laid back character and would not characterize the amp as being bright in any way. However, the Dread is revealing and if your cables tend towards the bright side (e.g., Nordost Red Dawn) the amp will reflect that. Try Synergistic Res. Ref. X2 cables. Just a thougth. Good luck!
More to discover