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Need a warm amp for bright speakers

So when I bought my system some time ago I made some mistakes being this the first time I ever ventured out doing this. I bought Paradigm Monitor 9 v5 and a Pioneer VSX21TXH. Surrounding speakers aer all Monitors backs are Titan v5 and center is a 290 I believe v6. The SVS kills though. The fronts do get very bright when pushed especially with metal that I listen to and it is VERY BRIGHT. Without redoing my whole system is there a way I can tame this problem? Use my Pioneer for maybe center and rears and processing and a dedicated amp for the fornts? If so what should I shoot for? I hear NAD is a good warm amp. I don't want to sell or get rid of the Paradigms because getting all new speakers would be far costlier than a dedicated amp. However I am a little skeptical that I can solve this with just and amp. All ears open for a relative newbie.
mmartin0617
usblues
1,217 posts
 
I second Ralphs idea about the tube amp,that and a cable swap would be a good way to go/start.Check out the cableco.com,good luck,Bob
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,234 posts
 
I had paradigm speakers(Studio 100 V-2) and after spending time and money . Came to realize that to get good 2 channel music SQ ,,I had to get different speakers. I liked the paradigms for HT ,but not for music.I bought a pair of good speakers and have been happy with them. You are attempting to turn a donkey into a race horse.You will always be less than happy with the results. IMHO
yoby
539 posts
 
Something else to consider would be room treatments. Room reflections cause havoc, especially when the volume is cranked up.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,288 posts
 
I'm telling ya'all, Paradigms highs are pretty hot; don't even know if they term "bright" describes them properly, because they are very bright.

I wouldn't try changing five different components in order to fix one component (well, actually I would do this, and did; save yourself the trouble). I changed cables, amps, pre amps, added room acoustics, turned the volume down, clinched my teeth, put kleenex in my ears...well you get the idea.

On a side note, my experiences with Paradigms customer service have been non-existant. They won't even call back or e-mail if you have an issue. Of coure your results may vary on this.

Seriously, sell your speakers now and get something else, OR, change your cables, amp, pre amp, add room treatments, THEN sell your speakers and buy something else, lol.

Good luck my friend!
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Well if the OP wants to try and tune in his current speakers he should use Cardas Copper cables (the best he can afford) and use a Tube Integrated or power amp. Once he has the amp he can roll tubes to achieve an even warmer sound than the stock amp usually has.
There are some warmer, softer edged SS amps, Cambridge and Creek come to mind but there are others of course.
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