stfoth: Yes, except for lacking deep bass, I was happy with the system before I added a sub (but, for other reasons, was not happy when I hooked up the sub the normal way.)
With the high-pass I started experimenting, alternately physically removing the sub and putting it back into the system. During this process I sometimes noticed exaggerated highs even without the sub. That's why I'm suspecting a bad tube may be developing in the preamp. Alternately, sometimes the system sounds fine with the sub connected.
I recently had the amplifiers upgraded, so I don't think there's a malfunction there.
It's not an exact science.
I'm trying to cover all bases.