2. misc-audio
  3. 165786-160212

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
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,334 posts
 
Maybe get a warmer sounding dac like a black ice audio wifi dac
they use 2 -12ax7 tubes from underwood wally  you can get one for under $700, or Denafrips dac which is also warm and detailed for similar monies
,your cables too can Taylor your sound.
athrillofhope
24 posts
 
Whatever you decide from the excellent advice here, there is no need to actually throw away your father's amp. STORE IT as a family memento. This is what I did with my dad's 1955 camera--an excellent unit in its day, but something I would never use today. 

But it would never cross my mind to discard it. Nostalgia is for romantics,  and romantics love music and make life worth living.
speakermaster
738 posts
 
A vintage amplifier was made when speakers had a different tonal balance than the new ones i would use the treble control to tame the highs to your liking or if it does not have one the high filter might work but i can say that modern speakers are very bright and detailed in general.
baldie
1 posts
 
To athrillofhope: Well said!
p05129
528 posts
 
Some old "jay" receivers from the 70's were very good like the Yamaha CR series (especially the cr2020), others not so good. Also, there are some good receivers in todays market: look up the Mcintosh MAC7200 receiver, it will blow away what MC is currently using. If you want to get a decent integrated amp for $600, look at the PS Audio Sprout 100. I use 1, and check out some of the reviews for it.
More to discover