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Help. System sounds thin and bright or harsh

Hope this isn't redundant tried to post in Tech Talk

Just moved my system to a new home/sound room and it still sounds harsh and a bit thin despite supposedly "warm" sounding Harbeth 30.1 speakers. This issue is not new and I had put the blame on the old listening room.  Can't figure out what the problem is. I listen loud at 80dcbl or higher and sit nearfield about 8 feet from the speaker plane. (sound is thin and bright from afar as well) I have experimented in both homes with speaker placement, toe-in and the like. Speakers are placed a lil over 3 feet from the rear wall and about two and a half feet from side walls.  I feel something is off. Perhaps a component or two that is known to be tipped up in the highs and a lil bass shy?? Also, I leave all solid state components fully powered up 24/7. (not the tubes)

System:

Modwright/Oppo BDP 105 disc player  (all mods with tubed power supply and pricey NOS tube upgrades throughout)  Looking to replace once the harshness/bright issue is nailed down.

Parasound JC2 Preamp

Pass Labs X250.5 Amp

Harbeth 30.1 stand mount speakers

Puritan Labs PSM 156 power conditioner. (less "edgy" sound with it in system)

System is run all balanced with fairly costly Cardas interconnects.

All input is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Happy listening.

 

 

cymivka
cymivka OP
46 posts
 

UPDATE

Thanks all. As i mentioned, looks like it IS the Pass Labs amp.  Powered down all components overnight...turned it on the next morning things were very much improved. THEN, next day, turned everything off EXCEPT for the Pass and things were still way off the next day. Am going to trade out the Pass amp (which Ive had for almost 10 years) for digital mono blocks just to confirm this. Then get the Pass to Reno HIFI or wherever is suggested for an overhaul.  Also thinking if the Pass needs some capacitors replaced it couldnt hurt to send the Parasound jc2 in for a good check up at the same time.  

Silver lining:  In moving the speakers and listening position all around the room in chasing down the sound gremlin (as many suggested) I think I have a perfect starting point for speaker placement once all the gear is up to spec.  The speakers ended up closer to the rear wall and a tad further away from sidewalls with fairly aggressive toe-in. Sounded a lot like I remembered on favorite recordings after the total power down test.

A pair of subs and new front end are still on the wish list.

macg19
962 posts
 

Some hopeful news...glad you didn't throw the baby out with the bath water:)

macg19
962 posts
 

@ejspain2020 good luck with your project! 

asctim
504 posts
 

@cymivka 

You figured it out yourself! That's some good sleuthing on your part. As someone who has worked in customer service and support for many years I have found that my customers often figure the problem out themselves while we're on the phone. I somehow help them by just being available to bounce ideas off of and go over plausible causes.

jetter
3,052 posts
 

@cymivka

Somehow I sound like the contrarian here, but I don’t wish to. I was just wondering if you don’t happen to have an old receiver or such that you can put in your system just to verify your findings that the amp is to blame?  I think that is the simplest way to figure things out.

I am sure you are right, but I would certainly want to verify my findings in a more solid way before spending $1,000s for amps that may not match the Pass and more for sending it in if by chance that it is not the culprit.

Now if you have the itch for new amps, full steam ahead.

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