Is it too bright or is it high resolution?


It has been said in the forums that one mans bright sounding amp is another mans high resolution amp. Some amps and preamp combinations can deliver a high resolution presentation and to others this may be considered too bright sounding. Is there a fine line that can distinguish between the two? Personally I like very revealing & the fine details delivered but the wife says it sounds a tad bit too bright.
phd
For me, with a new high resolution system, I do find that some recordings emphasize mid- to high- frequencies, more brittle sounding obviously than the actual performance live. Maybe it is the Wilson speakers.

Since I am also a neuroscientist/neurosurgeon, I would say that there is no gender difference between age-related hearing loss, unless you are referring to older men married to younger wives. I am a product of the 1960s, and went to about a dozen Jimi Hendrix concerts, and many more by Cream, the Doors, Big Brother, etc. I was recently tested by an audiologist and I have no loss of frequency across the entire range - there are significant inter-individual differences in the ability of the muscles of the inner ear to protect against volume-induced damage.

One must wonder if a "to bright"  presentation may be the result of harmonic distortion. Whether this is an amplifier issue a preamplifier issue or the interplay between the electronics and speakers. I am certain that we all want all of the details without undue brightness.
Hearing checks are not the answer.  If your system is unpleasant in the upper frequency(s) then it is time to approach your system problems in that area. Easier said than done.
For example if your speakers have metal dome tweeters then they could possibly be a source of the brightness. As others have mentioned, room acoustics and cables are certainly contributing as well.
brightness and clarity are two different things.  brightness is emphasis on the higher frequencies, and clarity is the definition between instruments, singers, etc.  When wearing sun glasses, the high frequency waves are eliminated, but (especially on the new coated lenses) definition is increased.
If it sounds good to you, isn't that all that matters? Now if your trying to get your system to sound neutral and non-bright, then your going to have to hear other well established systems along with having trusted audiophile friends help you tweak your setup. 
stringgreen, you are more receptive to this question as opposed to the other thread, are you ok? No, I tried wearing sunglasses but unfortunately they did nothing to calm the high frequences but thanks for your input