Magnepan 1.7 too bright, HELP

I wouldn't be surprised if what you really are hearing is just a lack of low end. Try a sub and see. I don't like Magnepans without a sub. They appear to be bright, and that is because the low end is typically weaker then most are used to. Room treatments can be a great option for getting a smoother sound out of panels too.

Rote might be a bit bright, not sure about Emotiva. There XPA amps were never really bright IMO. Not sure about there preamp though

Just my opinion.

It's a panel speaker, it's going to be bright no matter what, get used to it or get ride of it.

as of this time I am diagnosing the caps in the MG 1.7 crossover as cheap and causing glare on certain CD's (groups like the Cranberrys and Sheryl Crowe's Globe sessions CD come to mind). So musing on how to replace what looks like Axons and some caps pulled out of a refrigerator with a better alternative. Not sure what others definition of glare is, but mine is that certain upper register harmonics seem to create an exagerated irritating resonance(perhaps akin to why a soprano can shatter wine glasses...). Now considering the Gold Obbligatos, Clarity Cap ESA, but the trick is fitting 116.8uf of capacitance into a 60x100mm space thats only 35mm deep... i suspect a bulge in the back of the speaker cloth is unavoidable.

As much as I love Maggies, it continues to surprise me how they continue to nickle and dime their speakers. I know they want to hit price points, but good grief. It seems like they could be so much better with just a few extra bucks. Well, I'm glad they do what they do, but really. Most of us would not mind throwing another hundred bucks or so at good caps and decent jumpers. Of course, if the 1.7 is too good, who buys the 3.7. And if the 3.7 is too good, who buys the 20.7?

Maggies by nature are on the bright side of the spectrum. The tweeter is a midroscope that will reveal all before it.
A couple of tweeks may help however changing components appears to be the issue.
I agree about using a sub to even out the freqencies will reduce the brightness.
Not all panel speakers are bright. Apogee, Soundlab and Analysis are not.
if it were me a CJ amp and a tubed DAC or CDP would be the way to go.
Maggies just sound more natural with components that are rich or warm in character. That tweeter will never sound better.