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Suddenly, things are sounding awful...

So I hooked my system back up after about a 6 month absence (though the speakers were seeing constant use in another system for much of that time). 6 months ago, the tonality was fantastic. Things sounded rich and detailed. Now, the system sounds extremely bright (especially on top), very grainy, and much of the detail is gone.

I did indeed change the system's position in the room. But Everything has been repositioned very carefully, and I don't see why there would be any major acoustical problems.

The equipment is as follows:
Silverline SR15 monitors.
Audio Refinement CD Alpha
Audio Aero Prima series 1 integrated
Analysis Plus cabling

The only thing I can think of is that perhaps my NOS tube in the Prima is dying. But could that cause brightness and graininess? Those aren't the symptoms I would normally associate with a failing tube.

Suggestions, comments?

Thanks!
128x128lousyreeds1
newbee
4,775 posts
 
"Everything has been repositioned carefully". Does this mean that you put it in a new location, but carefully, or does this mean that you changed it back to the old position. If it's in a new location, no matter how carefully set up, its bound to sound different because of the way the room treats the sound waves and reflections.

I changed from the speakers in front of the short wall to in front of the long wall and I couldn't believe it was the same system or the same room.

Probably a good time to revisit room induced acoustics.
phd
1,324 posts
 
Maybe your system is haunted! Just kidding, on the more serious side it could be that as your tube breaks in, it will extend itself more in the high frequencies, changing the whole sound. Consider a different tube that has warmer characteristics.
jeff_jones
418 posts
 
Ditto on the give it some play time. Don't know why but one or two of my components get that tizzy not burned in sound if left dormant too long.
lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1 OP
286 posts
 
Newbee, that meant that I put the system in a new position with careful attention paid to addressing acoustical problems. You're right that it's going to sound different, though I'd expect the basic tonality to remain at least similar. Perhaps that's not right.

The cables were actually all being used by a friend while I was gone. They shouldn't need any burn in time.

The tube is not new, and it's had probably 50 hours of playing time since I came back. It's a Mullard 6922, the lushest of the lush. Does anyone think it could be dying?

THanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it all!
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
The tube certainly could be the problem, Oliver. However, I would suspect that the re-orientation in the room has more to do with it. I rotated our system from one wall to another, and I would have thought that we'd changed at least one of the components. Also, each time you have listened since returning, the amp has had 25 minutes or so to warm up, correct? And you're using all the same cords/cabling as before?
Hope all is well with you,
Howard
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