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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
derfman66
12 posts
 

I have Parasound a21+, Parasound P6, and Parasound Jc3 jr. I wouldn't describe my system bright. Neutral would be a better description. 

Post removed 
macg19
881 posts
 

When I eventually go separates ARC is top of the list. 

grislybutter
2,802 posts
 

I have 0 to contribute but I like this thread for my learning. It's weird that you have these awesome components and experience these issues. I would say synergy if I was as smart and knowledgeable as ghdprentice.

I hope it will work out for you without throwing more money at it.

skywachr
123 posts
 

Do this just for grins to see if it’s a room treatment issue. Drag some mattresses from adjacent rooms into that room and place them against the wall and see if that makes a difference. I’m not suggesting this as a cure but to determine if it’s the room itself that is the issue. It may or may not be a big factor in what we’re talking about.

Andrew Jones tells a story about doing this at an audio show where they were stuck in hotel rooms that had terrible acoustics to do their demos. He said that they were voted the best sounding room in the show. They just asked room service for extra mattresses and placed them around, experimented and their end result apparently was quite amazing.

Not a permanent fix in any way but will certainly tell you something important.

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