2. amps-preamps
  3. 1272729504

Just got Audible Illusions L1, but it sound harsh

I just got a Audible Illusions L1 preamp to replace my Rotel RC 1070. I can hear it is much more detail, it sounds more forward and bigger sound stage. But I also found it too harsh. Especially in vocal, the "s" sound is very loud and quite alloying. I don't have it in my RC 1070, but at the same time, it doesn't sound as musical. It is just like sing behind a curtain. I don't hear that detail, but also, those annoying "s" sound is "filter" out. Is it a characteristic of this preamp? Is there any thing I can do? I am using a Rotel RB 1080 amp. Should I try another preamp? Or try another amp?
gte357s
gte357s OP
281 posts
 
Thanks for the reply, and yes, the phase is already inverted before I run my test =)
weebeesdad
138 posts
 
FWIW, I used an AI 2C for many years and found the Svetlana 6n1p to be the smoothest (least harsh) tube type of any that I tried. AI warns against using the 6n1p for performance reasons, however, for me, it was consistently the preferred choice in my system. They're relatively cheap and so might be worth a shot... (Note that this tube is listed as a recommended choice in "Joe's Tube Lore" referenced in a post above..).
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
How old is the L1? Audible Illusions have a lot of electrolytic capacitors. One you replace them it will be good as new.
Post removed 
jlhommgmail
3 posts
 

Audible Illusions uses only a small number of electrolytic capacitors.  The large white ones are very expensive non-electrolytics.

 

More to discover