Bypass preamp, better sound, yet fatiguing?

Jsadurni, I wasn't necessarily making a statement in my last post. I was really seeking clarification on his use of the term fatiguing by asking Hgabert a question.

But if we're talking a truly ear-fatiguing sound that can cause the 'ears to bleed', then (assuming the tweeters are of good quality), in my experience the biggest culprit by far is improper or no line conditioning and secondly ics and scs that induce much time-smear causing a digital-like grain or hash in the highs and a bloated, ill-defined bass.

Since you say you are experiencing this ear-bleeding problem, would you care to share what line conditioners, ics, and scs you are using?

-IMO

Hello Tvad, I guess the First sound with the APL dennon would have been great! Did you have the H attenuator?
May I ask what is your CD source and preamp today?

Hello Stehno, I wasnt trying to make it sound like a statement but it was really describing the sound qualities I am running away from (or trying to!).

I am using Gabriel Gold ics which I find to be "low" on mids, I also tried Blue heavens, Transparent link, Siltech.
I am using either original Cabasse very short scs from my tubed mono amps, or DIY with a bunch of small diameter varnish coated copper cables per run and a pair of Audio Consulting silver wires, probably one too many....
I found longer cables to get in the way, either too bright or too blocked. Short speaker cables sounded right straight away...

I am using as I said an Isolation transformer which runs on two live 110 volts line (220 volts) and turns to 110 live and ground, thus isolating my system from the street ground.
Dedicated power line of course, and Leviton computer grade outlets. 12 awg Varnish coated power cable with pure cotton shield.

Leak TL12.1 Class A 12 watts tube mono amps which have a nice full body into Cabasse Catalane loudspeakers which I find to be faster and more dynamic than my Lowthers DX3...

I would not blame the tweeters for the Fatiguing sound mainly everything is to blame here very clear dynamic mids, punchy bass, and yes extended highs.

Today I made a test of running my system directly from the wall (mainly because of this thread) and the sound was very different, not so agressive or fatiguing but much less transparent.

Any advice is well recieved....thanks!

PS
I am loving my system without preamp....BTW.

Jsadurni, it appears that you like to tweak quite a bit and that's good.

However, from where I sit (in Salem, OR), it's difficult for me to see if you have any serious benchmarks in which to compare your tweaks.

I've heard one very authoritative source state that isolation transformers have their own pitfalls and in general are no match for excellent line conditioners. But I'm out of my league as to the whys and wherefors. The fact that you seemed to experience some positive benefits by plugging straight into the wall would seem to substantiate such claims. The other problem is finding line conditioners worth owning that do not induce their own sonic harm. In my experience the most popular brands actually sound worse than plugging straight into the wall.

As for the ics and scs, I'd highly recommend acquiring some Speltz anti-cables and anti-ics. Speltz' anti-cable speaker cables cost $10 per foot, the anti-ics cost $100 for 1m pair and are the second best cables I've yet heard. Moreover they require essentially only a few hours burn-in time and they come with a 30-day satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

These should give you some good benchmarks for your other cables and they induce little to no time-smear. You probably are aware that some to many ics and scs induce much time smear which in the highs produces a digital-like noise or hash and induce much ear fatigue. Time-smear in the lower bass regions simply make the bass sound wooly, loose, bloated, ill-defined, etc.. Anyway, the Speltz' cables absolutely minimize all of these ill affects and when the anti-cables are elevated at least 1 or 2 inches off the carpet, they will sound even more pristine and with greater speed.

In my experience and almost without exception silver cables/ics without the best line conditioning simply accentuate any fatigue already present. And that's assuming the silver ics/cables offer good sonics to start because there's plenty of poorly designed silver ics just as there are copper.

-IMO