System Components are Warm but Synergy is Bright?

I'm experiencing the same problem. I used to have an Audiolab pre and amp using a Classe .3 cdp. This had a very warm a smooth sound.

I first switched out the amp with a Belles 150A Hot Rod. Everything still sounded warm and smooth, but more details. The characterics of the Belles that I've read is that is transparent, warm, smooth, and "tube like". I was satisified with this sound, but noticed that the Audiolab was somewhat coloring the sound.

What I did next was replace the Audiolab pre with a Placette passive. Music became more transparent, detailed, and dynamic. Half way through a cd I can notice some listening fatigue or having a "glare".

Not sure if the Placette is revealing the weak link in the system or the synergy is not good because both the Classe and Belles are described as having the same sonic signature (warm, smooth). I know the Placette doesn't add or subtract from my system so I know it can't be that.

I'm not convinced it could be my room causing the brightness, but it might. I'm just trying to avoid having to add room treatment since I know the wife won't go for it.

Since I'm experiencing somewhat the same problem as Mdp0430, my hunch it could be the amp. I've heard the Cary and I can't see that being the issue since I would describe that to be warm and smooth sounding. Very "tube like". Then again, it's probably just not a good match for the Plinius kind of like how my Classe is not that good of a match for my Belles.

Thanks again for everyone's input. I certainly welcome others to provide any of their input as well.

Honest1, I think that your dealer is the first person to classify the Plinius sound as "sparkly." From what I gather the Plinius is about as "dark" as Solid State can get, espcicially my 8200 Mk1 Integrated.

Nrchy, my floors are hardwood. There are a couple of shelves and frames on the walls. No treatments if that's what you were looking for. Though there are a significant amount of pillows, sofa, etc. in the room. It's not practical for me to make any adjustments to the room.

Onhwy61, I played around with the speaker's positioning yesterday. No change.

The_Kid, Jafox, I had no idea how bright that StraightWire IC was. Playing around I swapped it out for a Monster IC300 that I was using on our DVD player. The brightness of the Cary diminished a little bit but so did all of the Higher Frequency detail. I guess I have to wait around for some of the higher end interconnects to come up on Audiogon. Thought I really can't believe that they will make that much of a difference. I don't want to spend more than $400 used. Any suggestions other than the Cardas Cross, Golden Cross, and Acoustic Zen Matrix for a warm cable?

Newbee, I have been thinking about going the tube route. Can you point me in the direction of where I can educate myself on the topic? Perhaps there is a primer thread here on A-gon? What would be the effect of mixing a Tube preamp with a Solid State amp? Or using my Plinius 8200 Integrated as the preamp with a Tube amp? Apparently, my Soliloquy 6.2 speakers are in fact tube friendly. I really want to like the Cary.

Mdp0430-

Interesting. I had a Cary 308. Nice extension and detail, but could be slightly bright and fatiguing on some recordings.
I have a Musical Fidelity A 300 integrated which some feel is tubelike for a solid state. Used silver IC's that are known to be tranparent,neutral and not harsh (RS Audio).
I have ACI Sapphire monitors which also are known to be neutral, or very slightly on the warm side of natural.

I guess what I am saying is that you may be experiencing an inherent issue with digital which is some glare/brightness/grain-even with good digital.

I then moved onto vinyl. Totally smooth and great detail and extension on good recordings. But I am not one of those guys who claims vinyl is the holy grail. It has lots of flaws if we are honest.

I stumbled onto the Tube Research Labs (TRL) SOny 595 modded sacd/cd unit. This provides the level of extreme detail I want without any harshness. Very analog like.

I guess you can try cables as tone controls, but I am not crazy about that. You might also try a rug on your floor.
Finally, you may look at a different source, unfortunately, for your system and room. System synergy is sort of an art it seems and what works for some does not for others as every room context and system is different.

Good luck.

If you live in IL, WISC, IN, I'll drop by and get to the bottom of the problem.

Audio Buff, sorry, I live in the East Coast... What's your prognosis without dropping by?

Lkdog, I'm not crazy about using cables as tone controls either.