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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
tavish OP
5 posts
 
Thanks everyone.   What a vibrant community you are!

First --
It is not my fathers receiver.  It is the same model, my mother threw his one in a skip bin after he died (ouch)  It might actually be his one - but thats a very long shot :-)
Nonetheless its a sentimental piece and I will keep it on display.  Very insightful of you athrillofhope.

Second --
I have an AV Receiver 7.1, paradigm speakers in exactly the same (crowded) spot and they sound great.  But no good for vinyl/audio.  Which is why I started this whole spree.

Third --
I got a loan of a Yamaha A-S1000, option to buy.  Swapped it in --- its better but not that much better.  So I accept that the room & placement needs attention. 

stevewharton
111 posts
 
Don't overthink this and run down a few rabbit trails trying to make that receiver work properly, unless you enjoy all the testing and placement and have some time to kill

I concur with MC and the others that have already indicated the receiver is your pain point

I second the suggestion of the PS Audio Sprout integrated amp, $600ish and they'd probably give you a few bucks on the trade in of the Akai

I run a Sprout on a 2 channel B system with a pair of KEF Q750s for my TV and streaming Tidal and Qobuz via Bluetooth from my phone

It's a great price performer, easy set up, not fussy and SQ is worthy

For extra added pleasure a good middle of the road power and speaker cables was like putting big boy pants on the Sprout
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,705 posts
 
Try some solid core 14 gauge Romex cable for the speakers. Change the interconnect if it's a cheapo one. 
tavish OP
5 posts
 
Interconnect is not cheapo at all
Speaker cable is premium copper (actually too fat for the back of the Akai)
Speakers are on wharfedale evo 4.2 stands
Maybe i could do something about the jumpers (or bi-wire the speakers...)

Thanks for the the cable-guy advice, I do believe in cables, honestly, but I don't think they're my issue right now.
clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
Hi Miller, Russ, Steve
You got a down on receivers.
Please tell me why an amplifier coupled to a radio will have inherently poorer sound quality than a lone amplifier.

Assuming the present cables are not faulty and correctly connected, they cannot be the cause of a louder than expected signal.
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