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System very bright after adding Mcintosh amp

So, I recently added a Mcintosh MC7205 amp I purchased off of audiogon to my system. Im using a Marantz Sr8002 as the pre/pro and have b&w speakers (683 fronts, htm61 center, and 686 rears)

Anyway, I've noticed that recently the whole system is abrasively bright. It sounds like whatever I am playing is a poor-quality mp3 and hits those high-end pitches that almost seem to pierce your ears.

I've re-run audessy since adding the amp but didn't notice and improvement.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!!
jastone7373
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
It's kind of odd to hear about a McIntosh amp sounding bright or brittle, there reputation is somewhat opposite. I had a similar experience with a Levenson amp that was not known for being bright either, changing the power cord and interconnect solved the problem. Have you tried different cables, cords, ect? It could be that your amp is just more revealing of other things in your system.
gshepardbuster's avatar
gshepardbuster
620 posts
 
As with all things involved with audio it may be simple or could be something further down the chain. I had a few amps from the mid to late 90's, Mc 300 and Mc 500 in that era were warmer sounding than current crop. If your 7205 is bright something is off. I used the 4 ohm tap with best results with any speaker/ amp combo, try that if not already on 4 ohm tap. Another cause could be when you switched out could the speaker wires became loose or became inverted at the neg/pos terminals?
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
..I was going to add maybe you're having a problem with your speakers/crossovers.
slikric3000
638 posts
 
Overkill amp ??
jastone7373 OP
3 posts
 
Well tried playing with a few more settings and the Level controls on the back of the amp and still not much luck.

I can try different interconnects, but thinking I may just call MAC on Monday.
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