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Nakamichi CA5 - Too Bright - suggestions?

Hi

I have a pair of B&K 4420M monoblocks, Nak CA5 preamp, and Lynnfield 500L speakers. I sold a bryson 4bsst amp to lower my gear investement due to other priorities. (ok maybe a mistake as i look back) the sound now is totally forward and bright vs. what it was previously.

what pre-amp recommendations do you guys have to give more warmth to my set-up? can a change in my pre-amp smooth the sound a little? will a preamp with tone controls - such as some of the Adcoms, B&K's, etc tone down the brightness a little or will it just exhaggerate the problem?

thanks for any help/opinions.
ervint
upstateaudio's avatar
upstateaudio
249 posts
 
For an economic alternative, how about a B&K Pro10MC? They go for about $250-300 here on the gon.

B&K components mate well with each other.

The sound is somewhat dark but certainly musical and almost tubelike.

Good luck.
infinitebaffle
51 posts
 
I'm not surprised about the CA5. When I listened to it I was shocked at how truly awful it sounded. Thin, hard, bright-just plain nasty. Get yourself an Audio Experience Symphonies tube linestage available direct from manufacturer for $400 and you will be thrilled. Nothing close for the price. Check the featured ads for their website.
bday0000
266 posts
 
Ervint,

Hey!

I agree with UpstateAudio. I was using a BK ST1400 with a Conrad-Johnson PV10A. I began having problems with the PV10A and shipped it back to cj. In the meantime, I plugged in my old standby, a BK Pro10MC Sonata. It sounds great. It is very fast yet warm. I am using a Planet CDP, BTW.
Anyway, I don't miss the cj too much, but it should also be a consideration for you. It is very warm and liquid.

Brad Day
Atlanta, GA
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