Help Finding my system bright...


I am finding my system on the thin, bight side and I really dont know what it is. MOst of my gear is known to be warm or smooth sounding. So I want to ask you guys what is the first thing in my set up that catches your attention for being bright. Thanks

Totem Model 1s
Plinius SA100 mkiii
Bel Canto DAC3
Audioquest pikes pike
Audioquest jaguar xlr
Signal cable magicpower
signal cable digital ref

Thanks guys
macd
Well then I echo the question above, what changed to now make you feel its bright? Realistically I have had audioquest designs back in the 90's… they were always a bit Grainy and harsh with some components, mostly due to the multiple solid conductor litz type arrays the speaker cables seemed to use. At the time Kimber and Audioquest along with monster and MIT, straightwire, wireworld were mostly available at most of the higher end home theater stores when they started all changing over from 2 channel to multi channel focus…

However again not sure cables will completely solve the problem, it seems more like a room and or synergy of the components issue, and if in fact the Plinius you list above is a standalone amp than what is the preamp used? This will have a bigger effect in many systems tonal balance than the amp. Or are you just running the bel canto straight into the amp with its onboard volume control or something? If so that is your issue, you will need a full frequency preamp to add body back to your digital sound helping eliminate the "Digititus" that many experience running direct eliminating a good preamp. Has more to do with impedance and just harmonic problems that make music lose that full organic feel.
Very interesting, yeah before I found my system bright I was using a classe integrade. So my problem may be the lack of a preamp. I see how the harshness of digital could be what I am trying to descibe. Thanks everyone for your input.
Hi Macd, i see that there is a Decware ZSLA-1 tube buffer pre for sale on audiogon right now for 275.00 it is intended to be used between CD and amp to match impedences and warm up digital sound. i don't know the seller, just saw it today. You could try it out and if it does not satisfy you could resell and not lose too much$. Go to Decware website and check it out, might be just the ticket!
you might try putting 'plain ol' 14 guage wire between the amp, and your speakers and see what happens iand you'll only be out a few bucks if it doesn't tame the treble.
I tried the signal cable digital cord on my Trivista DAC. After a week it still sounded so thin and cold (non-musical to my ears) that I got rid of it. The Signal cable magicpower on the other hand made my amp seem dark and sluggish. You probably have stock cords or something similar around...if you have not already tried alternative powercords.

Cheers,
Soren