2. cables
  3. 1117750300

Need Help With a Bright System

My system consists of two NAD C 272 monoblocks, an NAD C 162 preamp, and an NAD T 532 DVD player. The speakers are Triangle Antal XS. My problem is that the system can sound pretty edgy and bright on many recordings, particularly rock and pop albums. One very noticeable aspect of this bright sound is edgy vocals that have exaggerated sibilants (i.e. ‘S’ sounds). I'm currently using a pair of Kimber Timbre interconnects between the preamp and monos, and Acoustic Research silver series interconnects between the dvd player and the preamp. I was using a pair of Kimber PBJs between the dvd player and preamp, but found the ARs to be warmer and better on the bass. The speaker cables are a pair of Straightwire Quartets, which I believe are plain copper. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of this bright sound? Obviously I wouldn't like to lose detail while doing so, but I understand that this may be a trade off. I'm willing to make a necessary upgrade, but I just want to ensure that whatever I chose to upgrade will definitely take away a lot of the brightness that I currently hear in this system. I know that using a tube amp instead of solid state would make a huge difference, but what else can be done?
jwglista
aroc
760 posts
 
If you must use these speakers (which are the problem, IMO) trade the gear for lush tube gear, like Cary, or maybe contact Kevin Deal @ Upscale Audio and see what he says. Your speakers are too ruthless in the presence range (guessing 2-6khz).

Using gear like these Triangles or horns is like preparing sushi. All of the ingredients must be fresh and of the highest quality possible or it won't be palatable. at all. While it's possible to make these speakers work, it is doing to be WORK doing so. This is why most are suggesting different speakers.

For now, think like a suhsi chef. Every piece of gear (including room treatments) isn't going to have to be synergetic and hand picked (and tweaked!) to match those Triangles.

Good luck!
Aaron
the_kid's avatar
the_kid
465 posts
 
Jwglista,

I heard them on Cary Tube and Electrocompaniet Solid State Gear. Something was just missing as the speakers sounded analytical and mechanical. Again, the imaging was impressive but the dynamics and musicality was just NOT there.

Also, I disagree that tube amps cannot deliver extended bass and there is not shortage of extension in my set up. Please see my system here on Audiogon.

Please keep in mind that reviews only go so far. I have read tons of reviews that I disagree with and some that I agree with. Maybe the reviewer did not listen for extended periods and I am sure he/she used only good recordings; not rock & roll. I agree with you though as it all comes down to system synergy which you are now missing.

I would reach out to other Triangle owners and see what their setups consist of. However, I again do not think that you will get what you are looking for out of the Antal XS speakers. My prediction is they will be on Audiogon in the Classifieds within 6 months after trying different combinations. Maybe I am wrong but I doubt it.

Good Luck!

Chris
distortion
571 posts
 
I played around with speaker cables last week. I have some Transparent Musicwave 100s that were clearly warmer than both my Analysis Plus and a set of Signal Cables. When I placed the Transparents on the bottom end of a biwired speaker it seemed to extend the Bass a little too. If memory serves me correctly, I would also say that Transparents lower priced ICs were somewhat rolled off as well.

You could also try placing felt around the tweeter. Literally cut a donut shaped piece and using a removable adhesive place it around the tweeter.

Similarly you can place foam rubber blocks beside or below the tweeter. Somewhat like Dunlavy's.
jalanc42069
131 posts
 
Hi Jwglista, room adjustments would be the first thing i tried. Bare floors, walls, glass, giant tvs, any hard surfaces. Try homemade solutions, rugs, wall hangings, pillows,etc. I use a wall hanging[thick cotton], pillows, and stuffed animals in strategic places!, thats right, i'm single! After that, maybe warmer cables[ i like harmonic tech], incerting a tube preamp, and internal damping of the DVD player[marigo dots, sorbothane,etc.] I love Rosstaman's suggestion! [Yah mon, thanks for that , you made my day] Happy tweaking and thanks for listening, Alan
nanotweeter
55 posts
 
You may want to invest in a Radio Shack SPL meter and an audio test CD (to generate fixed frequency tones) before you make any changes. If the sound is as bright as you claim, it will show up on a graph of SPL vs frequency. Then you can retest every time you make a change (whether room decor, system components or tweaks) and see the real difference the changes make. At the very least this will give you a good feel for the quantifiable impact varies changes make on you overall system acoustics. Good luck.
More to discover