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Why does my system now have shrill top end.

The equipment in my system (listed below) has not changed but I now find on both CD and Vinyl a high end shrillness to the sound (treble is very harsh) that has become very annoying, especially at high volume levels. I have no idea why this happened all of a sudden.

Endevour E-3
Pass 30.8
Pass XP 20
Esoteric K01x
Linn LP12 (Ortofon Black cartridge)
Linn Linto Phono Preamp
PS Audio P5 (Amp plugged in directly to wall)
JL Audio F112 v2 sub
OCOS Speaker cable (15 feet)
Pass XLR interconnect (Preamp to Amp)
Harmonic Technology Cable Magic Link (not current version). RCA termination

Any ideas?
proacman
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
Consider putting noise filters on all the new equipment and lines in the new kitchen.

As well, the person who did the electrical system for the kitchen, may have altered your room’s connectivity to get the kitchen on line.

Consult with them.

those are probably the major potential culprits.

I’m guessing one of the new pieces of equipment in the given kitchen has a very dirty ’pulse power supply’ and is injecting noise into the AC which is impacting your sound space, electrically.

This can be quickly tested via shutting down the new kitchen at the AC power panel, then adding kitchen breakers back in, one by one, listening the whole while. If this is the case, the culprit outlet and associated kitchen gear will show itself. Lighting is also on this list. Especially CCFL’s and LED bulbs.

Best cheap tweak ever for audio shows:

BRING INCANDESCENT BULBS to the show and put them in the bulb sockets of the room, and turn them on.

the filaments of incandescent bulbs will knock down (partially absorb) the noise peaks of the dirty ac power on the given lines in the given hotel room.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,276 posts
 
If it's not the system, the room or environmental factors, then all that's left is you.  What's different about you since this has occurred?  Change in medications, different diet, exposure to loud noises, etc.?

But before worrying about that, I would disconnect and reconnect every system interconnect/cable.
proacman OP
33 posts
 

Teo_Audio: All of the kitchen lights were changed to LED bulbs so maybe that is it. Would turning the light switches off take them out of the loop or do I need to shut the breaker off. There is also the Refrig ice maker and the electric ovens but they are rarely on when I am listening. Heated floors were installed but they are off in the summer. That's all that was changed.

If the P5 won't tackle this problem what if any alternatives are there, besides having the kitchen rewired which is not an alternative?

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
There are a lot of reasons why systems sound shrill. Especially as the volume is turned past moderate levels. But one reason that is not even on audiophiles’ radar is the dreaded Morphic fields. You know, the things behind Morphic Message Foils, the clever clock, and why telephone books are bad for the sound. After addressing all the usual suspects the distortion is still there! 😧 You see, folks, things are worse than anyone suspect. Much worse. Let the hand-wringing and denials begin.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
 LED bulbs is likely

turn them off and see if that fixes things - if not, post exactly what type they are (built in or replacement screw in type)
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