Critique my system...


Wasn't sure what section to post this in. I'm fairly new to critical listening and I've recently put together a system I really like. But my gut tells me it's just a little on the bright side. So, here's what I've got....what would you guys try next to warm it up a bit?

McIntosh MC60 mono-blocks recently rebuilt.
Audio Research LS3 solid state preamp.
NAD C546BEE CD player
Nola Boxers with about 100 hours on them.
Interconnects are just some older Monster stuff
Cables to amps are older Phoenix Gold
Speaker wire is new Monster XP

Thanks...I'd appreciate the advice.
neo-luddite
If what Al said doesn't resolve it, experiment with speaker placement and toe-in/out so that less sound reaches your ears directly from the tweeters and see if that helps.

Grills on or off the Boxers? That may make a difference if off currently.

Or try placing a piece of light felt or similar acoustically translucent material over the tweeters just for fun and see what that does. If it helps, leave it there. Tweak the amount of material used to obstruct the tweeter until you get the desired results with grilles on for best WAF.

All easy low/no cost things to try before changing anything. You'll probably learn more about how the gear performs along the way as well which can only help prior to making a change if it comes to that.

Brightness aside, how does the bass sound? Moving speakers around to different locations should have an effect there as well which might help with tonality overall. Those Nola's are rear ported, right? That would suggest they may do best overall including with the bass a couple feet or more out and away from front wall. Some distance from side walls as well to help avoid early reflections that smear the sound that might be heard otherwise is probably desirable as well.

Trying different ICs, not necessarily real expensive ones, might be the next thing I would fiddle with. A used pair of MIT Terminator 3 or 4 ICs for well under $100 might have a softening effect on the tonality overall.

Oh, and of course, whenever tubes are involved, make sure they are strong and functioning up to spec or else all bets are off.
It looks like a good system. I agree re the Monster ICs etc. get something else. The CDP could be "better" but with your amps and speakers you shouldn't lack warmth, there is no desperate need for more tubes. I think you can go overboard with warmth, so some balance isn't bad. Again for a first serious system you did a good job, I wish I had done as well.
I would first look at room acoustics and speaker placement

If its a hard and cold room, throwing money at the equipment wnd isn't going to get you to your goal
Post removed