Magnepan 1.7 too bright, HELP

I would change the denon first and spend as much as you can as this is your main source then change the pre which I have had and buy a tube pre which will open up everything from a good source then the amp and the maggies will sing.

For what it is worth, I tried the Grant Fidelity tube buffer between a Azur 640 CD player and a McIntosh MA6300 integrated amp driving a double stack of Large Advents. Could not tell a difference.

Yeah, I think it all depends on the system synergy. I've become a total advocate for tube-pre, and ss amp. For instance, my office system is a Cambridge Soundworks Model 12 for amp and sub, with Gallo A'Divas for the speakers. It was very involving, but a bit too revealing for my taste.

I added the 283 tube buffer, and all I can say is that the sound is so satisfying now, that this will likely be my permanent office setup.

I bought the 283 MKII for my main system, and I've done an A/B comparison, and for my system it works wonders. I'm actually about to order the new $300 tubes from Psvane for it.

Having said that...once I buy a new preamp and class D amps for the main system, it may no longer make enough difference. Time will tell. :-)

Mot

Bnrimal, please tell us what your previous pair of speakers were?

Hi, have been playing with speaker positions and working on the room, sold the Denon and bought a Marantz DV9500 on Ebay and added a 2 ohm resistor. Overall the sound is warmer but not quite what I want yet. My old speakers with POLK LSi 15.