2. amps-preamps
  3. 1389890678

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
yoby
538 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
2,273 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.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,273 posts
 
I do think a tube amp might be smart...

My question is, is it a bad idea for the OP to tone down his rig in order to make a bright speaker sound neutral? What happens if he goes with a more neutral speaker later, and now his other components make a neutral sounding speaker and make it sound super laid back? Honest question in which I don't know the answer, just something I was thinking about in order to helpthe OP...
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,079 posts
 
NAD will do the trick and should not cost a lot to try especially if you go used/vintage.
More to discover