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How to tame a bright system?

Hi all,

I have been facing a problem, the brightness of my system:

Bluesound n130  --- Chord dave ---- audioquest fire (xlr) ---- Etude  ---- copper wire ---- B&W 606s2.

 

The brightness shows up, particularly after I upgrade the cable from the chord company clearway (RCA) to the AQ fire (XLR).  AQ fire really improved everything. However, the high frequency is too cristal to my ears (especially the "ding, ding" sound from the piano, I believe most of the people would love it but not me .... ).  I like the cheap clearway, but it does not have the excellent bass and the dynamic offered by fire. I also tried with AQ Mackenzie (copper) which gives a proper sound but lacks space. I also found the vocal of fire is a bit forward (I am not really big fun of forwarding vocal).

Can someone help to recommend a cable that has everything of clearway but more dynamic and extension at the low end? I think this would be an ideal cable for my current system.

 

If possible, please help to focus on the cable rather than the other components. I know there is a lot to improve, but not at the moment.  Thanks a lot guys!  ;-) 

 

 

 

tension255
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,202 posts
 

Having over 20 years in system upgrades or mods.

upgrade your loudspeakers Xover unless you spend over $20 k 

 90% of the time the Xover has average parts at best .i hav3 called out personally 

several high end mfg and in a few instances hung up on for telling the truth .

just go to Humble homemade Hifi capacitor test.which you can literally taylor the Sonic character through your speakers, another  Vacuum tube amp, or preamp , In digital R2R dacs  sound very analog ,as well as vacuum tube dacs .even cables can tune your system  tweaks high end fuses ,and power cords.

sappphire3690
6 posts
 

I had the same problem with my B&W speakers. I purchased acoustic panels but the order was cancelled, so I took those funds and purchased a new preamp. It was the best decision I ever made. I don’t need the acoustic panels now and the system sounds amazing.

Also, why are you using such expensive XLR cables?

hshifi
572 posts
 

Hello,

I don’t know if changing your speakers or front end is an option. Revel speakers can correct this due to the wave guide on the tweeters. Especially if you go to the BE series. If you do not want to do that then I would talk to Straightwire. They specialize in helping with these issues. I think the Expresivo 1 or 2 will help with your concerns. You should give them a call. Another idea is to change the power cables. If you go to solid core or a pretty thick gauge like 9 or 10 that should mellow out the sound a little. Also up the gauge to 12 gauge or larger especially on the preamp. Straightwire Black Thunder will do nice. If you can afford the pro Thunder for the amp pull the trigger.  You will be amazed how good this sounds. I hope some of these ideas will help. 

pr
50 posts
 

Tuneful Wester Electric speakers cables 

Belden 8402 rca

Natural sound!!!

 

geof3
1,129 posts
 

Yeah, the latter 600 series tweeters are not terribly well received. I’ve got an original pair of 684’s in my second system, the tweeters on those are very nice. As others have mentioned, cables are not the answer. Your best bet is DSP, or god forbid, an EQ until different system changes are possible. Or, just take back the AQ cables and stick with the ones you like, at least until you can justify bigger changes.

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