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Have I got the wrong amp? or the wrong speakers?

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and a relative beginner at hifi, so please excuse the (potentially) dumb question.
In homage to my late father, and the basic, budget setup he had when I was a kid, I've recently acquired a vintage AKAI AA-1150 receiver (circa 1979 I think) and paired it with brand new Wharfedale EVO 4.2 large bookcase speakers.

Two problems - 
First, I think the speakers are waaay too sensitive for the amp - turn the volume up to 3 and the room is shaking. Taking the dial to 11 would definitely kill the Wharfedales.  My old speakers (Paradigm Atom) suffer too, but a little less.  Its definitely the amplifier!
Second, the sound is impossibly forward and bright.  Incredibly clear, with amazing detail (from both vinyl & DAC) but really hard on the ears.

Do I need to ditch the nostalgia and get a warmer, 21st Century integrated amplifier?  Or is there some setting I've missed somewhere?

All suggestions welcomed!
tavish
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
According to the specs, speakers and amp should be a good match.
Akai:
50wpc into 8ohms.
Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 16Ω
Speakers:
Recommended amplifier power: 25-120 watts
Sensitivity: 88 dB
Nominal impedance: 8 ohms compatible

Has the amp been inspected or serviced?
These speakers have separate connections for high/mid drivers and bass (woofer). Are the metal jumpers connected and how do you have the speaker cables attached?


mastering92
870 posts
 
AKAI amps (especially older ones) tend to have this kind of signature.

Denon, NAD,  Pioneer Elite are good places to start if you prefer more tame sound.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Get rid of the jumpers and make some new heavy copper jumper with spades. Get LARGER speaker cable first. Copper is how everything was voiced back then.. Use heavy copper and short runs, see if that helps.. 
The LACK of bass in a room or tone control issues with a receiver are pretty straight forward. They have a treble and bass control does that help? How is the room set up.. Large reflective walls, ceiling and floors? ALL that, and speaker placement.

Lot of stuff could change how it sounds. GEAR is in place, LARGE enough cable, speaker, listening position. After that, ROOM treatment..

THEN gear... maybe.. Need a remote.. I do..:-)

Regards
tavish OP
5 posts
 
jumpers are connected (were never removed) 
banana plugs (neotech origin)

Amp service ...?  I guess so, bough on eBay from a vintage reseller.  Not an explicit reference to service.  Buyer beware maybe?

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