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My system's high frequencies hurt my ears

Well, to be perfectly clear it doesn't always hurt my ears but I've been getting a little fatigued at times and I'm trying to diagnose the problem. A few nights ago I was listening to a new 24/96 The Doors first album release and had to stop playback. I switched over to The Eagles Greatest Hits, 16/44, and found some happiness there but I wasn't completely satisfied. Perhaps some of this is psychological, maybe I was feeling a little extra sensitive, but I'm sure I've had some issues with high frequencies in the past.

Here's my setup:

Serving all music, ripped to WAV by Exact Audio Copy or downloaded via high rez sites, via Windows 7 computer running J River set to WASAPI output. Sending signal via USB to Audiophilleo USB/SPDIF converter to PS Audio Digital Link III DAC. From DAC using Nordost Baldur unbalanced RCA interconnects to PS Audio C-100 Control Amp. Speaker wires are Nordost Blue Heaven. Power cables are PS Audio Lab Cable from wall to PS Audio Duet Power Conditioner. From there I use another Lab Cable for the amp and a PS Jewel cable for the DAC. The wall plug is on its own circuit with nothing else connected. Speakers are my old but good Mirage 1090i's.

Aside from perhaps the age of the speakers do you guys see anything that stands out? I spoke to a technician from Mirage and he suggested I'm doing too much signal processing which could be a cause of uncomfortable high frequencies.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
robpriore
davide256's avatar
davide256
406 posts
 
I wouldn't assume its speakers yet. I fixed a like issue with my tube gear by upgrading capacitors at critical points; teflon caps are great for natural sound.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
The latest Vandersteen 2Ce Signature II loudspeaker balances a sophisticated four-way driver system with their patented time and phase coherent design. The combination produces a precise and non- fatiguing sound that gives the music a wide open feel.

Upon hearing it, the concept of time and phase coherence will make perfect sense. Combining a sophisticated midrange with an extremely inert cabinet allows the tweeter to operate in harmony with the music without losing definition.

In its most recent iteration, Vandersteen has upgraded virtually every component of the speaker system making the best-selling high-end loudspeaker of all time even better.
Also a Vandersteen dealer
Best JohnnyR
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,626 posts
 
Get some GIK acoustic panels and treat the 1&2nd reflection points as well as the wall behind you. They can also be used on the wall behind the speakers.

Please tell me about your room. I can near guarantee you that these 242 and 244 GIK panels will cure the problem and greatly improve your music.
All glare and harshness will be gone. Turn up the volume and the music will swell and grow in size and impact, but not in harshness.
gshepardbuster's avatar
gshepardbuster
620 posts
 
Had the Mirage M1si from 1996/2009, tried all kinds of positioning. With bipolars the rear firing speakers will fight the room much worse than conventional designs. I only found partial contentment in my current large room with them around 3ft+ from rear wall. What works in your room may be different as bipolars can be a PITA. Looking back had I been aware of sites as this I'd of moved on years sooner.
robpriore OP
35 posts
 
Before toeing out the speakers I listened to the Doors Soul Kitchen in 24/96 and Adele's Rolling In The Deep 16/44. The highs are uncomfortable. I toed out the speakers several degrees and played the tracks again. There was an improvement. I continued to test and called up ELO's Nightrider and Poker 16/44. The imaging was smeared on these and was not right. I returned to the original speaker angles and restored the imaging but again the highs are uncomfortable.

Is this a fairly straightforward speaker issue?
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