Perhaps your phono cartridge is not tracking properly or is worm out?
Transients hurting my ears on hifi solid state amps
I've looked at many discussions on listening fatigue and similar topics, but haven't really found the answer to the specific problem I've been having.
To me, modern higher end solid state amplifiers tend have too much slam or too sharp transients and that ends up hurting my ears even at 60db levels. Even listening to mellow jazz, the piano notes are just uncomfortable to listen to because of the attack.
I currently have Buchardt S300 Mk II speakers, which are not high sensitivity by any stretch, and are rather smooth sounding, but I don't know if they could contribute to the issue somehow?
The worst case regarding amplifiers I tried was the Rogue Sphinx V2, which is 100W hybrid Class D with tube preamp. Another I had at home for an extended period and had an issue with was the Arcam SA20, which should be a relatively smooth sounding amplifier, and it did get a little closer to what I was looking for.
I currently have a Primaluna Dialogue Premium integrated and I'm very happy with it. The amp I tried to replace was a Marantz PM6005, which is also very smooth. Both are under the recommended power rating of the speakers (even though that's relative for a tube amp), so I'm wondering whether that could be part of it.
I listen mostly to vinyl (Graham Slee Reflex M preamp) with some digital too (Denafrips Pontus II). Both are relatively smooth and vinyl, while usually being softer, doesn't solve the issue.
I'm looking to switch back to solid state (class AB) for various reasons and I was wondering if anybody had had similar experiences and recommendations for amps? Most amps, especially higher end, tend to emphasize the dynamics, punch, agility, etc. and I struggle to find anything that would seem to fit the bill. Tubes seem to do the trick for me, especially with some tube rolling, but not sure where to go with solid state. The budget would be around 2000$.
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- 88 posts total
Thanks atmasphere! That’s a very detailed explanation and makes sense to me. Sound pressure is exactly what I’m feeling. I know Nelson Pass talks a lot about different ordered harmonics regarding his designs. Not sure they would be right, but out of my price range unfortunately. Thanks for the Croft recommendation too, I’ll look into it. I think I had it as an option at some point, not sure why I decided against it. I’m ideally looking for an all solid state design, but open to having tubes in the pre. I have two turntables with very different cartridges (MC and MM) and I don’t feel that makes the difference. Adjusting VTA, especially on the Hana SL, makes a difference in terms of smoothness/harshness, but it’s not the main issue. I also feel the issue with different DACs.
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You might like the Konus Audio Integrale, coming from someone who primarily listens to vacuum tube amps. |
I can't provide suggestions in your budget, but what you describe is definitely an attribute of some SS amps. Of course we should be cognizant of room acoustics and address problems there when necessary, but I've heard enough examples of gear across a few systems/rooms to realize that each amp has its own, very distinct sonic fingerprint. My friend has AudioNet mono amps (the small ones), and they're very striking in their complete lack of fatigue and ease of listening. They ALMOST sound like tube amps in many ways. |
Start with buying much better equipment , such as Pass labs, Coda Boulder Gryphon, Goldman, Hegel , Naim ,Luxman and many others myself I bought the excellent Coda CSIB integrated amp which is high bias in pure class A , with many amps or preamp the coupling capacitors ,even power capacitors can be upgraded and sonicly greatly improve its sonics , if you can’t afford a expensive amplifier then seek out a quality Audio technician and have it modded, Swiss capacitors like Elma Silmic actually have silk and give a smoother presentation , bypassing power capacitors with quality.1 uf poly caps smooth out the top end also , as well as the resistor type in Arcam very basic parts quality ,rule of thumb on average only 25% of the cost actually goes into it .The rest R&D overhead and markup. There are many other things including quality WBT copper gold connectors ,vs the cheap gold plated brass that comes with most pieces of equipment .in my system every component has upgraded connectors including power cords and Loudspeaker connectors and the very important Loudspeaker Xovers. |
- 88 posts total