@zonkler +1! Those old Hafler DH200/220 amps are forgotten treasures! Capable of going up against today’s overpriced amps. I have one, along with the Hafler preamp!
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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@jasonbourne52 Yep, my DH220 is just lovely. Only drawback is the class A heat but the upside is in my northern climate it doubles as a space heater in the winter. Depending on the poster’s power needs a DH120 or DH500 would be just as nice. |
I'm in agreement with @tuberist. What are the room acoustics like? Early reflections and slap echo will cause fatigue from high frequencies. My advice would be, do not spend money on equipment, cables, or tweaks until you have addressed room acoustics. |
What is your wire? Interconnects speaker and power.cords? Do you have a power conditioner that some things are plugged into? Those things all need to be looked at. Also the newer trend is to talk about sparkle on top twenty years ago they called that bright. Do your speakers have two sets of pots on them? Do you have the flat bars between them are you plugged into the top or bottom set? So receptacles cab sound bright as well. You have a basic problem there you need to find it. |
op room and setup - a few pictures speaks a thousand words buchardt s300's are hardly sharp sounding speakers, i had them, they are warm sounding, with a rolled off tweeter solid state amps will accentuate treble much more prominently than a primaluna, which is also warm and fairly rolled off my money is on the room, or just how your hearing is easily irritated by treble |
- 88 posts total