2. amps-preamps
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My music sounds brighter

Hello all. All of a sudden my music sounds brighter whether I'm listening to a record or a CD. I do have to turn down the treble a bit to compensate for this and make it pleasurable to listen to. Nothing has changed with my electronics which consists of a Yanaha DSP A1 integrated amp, DBX 3BX DS dynamic range controller, Pro-ject Debut Carbon turntable with acrylic platter and Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, Wharfedale Rubiance RB 27 floor standing speakers in the front and RB 23 bookshelf speakers in the rear and a Mirage FRX S15 subwoofer.

I would have thought that if I was experiencing any deterioration of my electronics, it would be in the opposite direction with a decrease in high-end response.

Any thoughts? Thanks.
128x128cspiegs
falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
Lots of suggestions here but what about something like a component in your crossover that is going bad or failed? Is the output of your speakers similar or has one changed?
ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
1,047 posts
 
I'm curious about the DBX. Where is it in the system and how is it wired. Does it need to be on for you to pass a signal thru to speakers? If so, I would look for a forgotten improper setting...or else it could now be ailing. DBX works first by increasing the highs (encoding) and then by decreasing them (decoding). Sudden or intermittent increase in the highs while listening may be a sign of a state of proper encoding but without any (or sufficient) decoding on the back end?
ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
1,047 posts
 
If you need to test, remove the DBX and see if the problem persists.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,781 posts
 
Look in your Yamaha manual for "Return to factory settings". You may have had some "alien A/C" that screwed with your chip. Start at the beginning. Also, remove the dbx from the system and see how it sounds. Finally, is your wire shielded or unshielded? Unshielded wire (also known as "antennas") will pick-up everything in the air and make things sound bright. Good luck!
giri
39 posts
 
I had the same experience I had similar experience. I don’t know your age but I am 71 years old. I developed tinnitus a few years ago and on further research, I discovered that I have developed a condition called hyperacusis, seen often with tinnitus. Everything sounded uncomfortably bright, even my own sibilants. It turns out to be not an uncommon problem. May be you have same or some electro-mechanical problems elaborated by others. By the way, I am a neurologist, not engineer.
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