Sim Audio Moon P-5 too dry

Try the MAS Black interconnects from Sony Cdp to pre.You might also consider an Acoustic Zen Matrix I or II from pre to amp.

While I can't be sure without hearing your system, you are however also describing my impression of some Kimber cables.

BTW...What speaker cables?

The most common brightness problems in solid state gear is handling high impedance loads that usually occur above the highest crossover point.
I'd start talking of your speakers, if I didn't hear myself the same problem with Merlyns when I heard setup at CES. That was one of the worst sounding rooms IMO. So speakers probably maynot be a culprit.
The other story is that Bryston is indeed truely well-engineered SS gear that may compete with much higher-priced models.

I have to agree with the first two posts. You might want to try some different interconnects. The P-5 appears to be the strongest part of your system right now, and you might have to play around a bit to get the sound you like. Try a good balanced XLR cable between the P-5 and Bryston (assuming it has XLR inputs) and maybe take out that Kimber cable, at least to try some other interconnects. Also, you might want to try borrowing a decent power cord from someone to try on your SACD player. Sometime they can tame the too-crisp highs.

Good luck,

Derek

Seems I wrongly thought of poweramp instead of preamp.
This case is quite simplier:
You can get passive preamp and compare with P-5. There are lots of them on the market in sub-$500 range. You'll be completely stoned.

My P-5 also sounds a bit dry, but not egregiously so. I agree that some cable swapping is in order. My suggestion would be to try either Wireworld Gold Eclipse 5 or Acoustic Zen Reference Matrix II in XLR configuration out to the amp. Borrow cables if you can, from dealers or friends, to sii if they might change the sound in directions you like.

The suggestion of trying a used passive in place of the P-5 is also a good one. It might be less expensive than buying new cables. I bought a transformer based passive, and it sounded noticebly warmer and more musical than the P-5. But given that the P-5 is such a capable preamp, it's really worth trying to bring it on song first.

You can try Black Diamond Racing Cones MkIII under your CDP and preamp. Cured a lot of brightness in my system. Regards.

While a cable swap may help, let me suggest that you live with the P-5 a bit. If your personal reference has been the Yamaha, you may need to adapt and learn how the P-5 sounds over time.

Thanks everybody, I really didn’t expect so many answers.

The Sony SCD-C555ES SACD player does not have an IEC so can't experiment with power cables, also the Sony rests on Nordost Pulsar Points. My whole system rests on Atacama Equinox shelves which have spikes for all the shelves, so vibration is not a problem I presume.

I did manage to get a Gutwire Pure Clef not the SE version for the Moon P-5 & I think the glare is less. Speaker cable QED Bi-Wire Original MK2 bought those 4 yrs ago when I had less money (sigh) & haven’t changed them since. I would say they are no where close to esoteric, but not bad either.

I am willing to change speaker cables too, any suggestions? Some of you have mentioned interconnect change & I am willing to do that also.

I am also considering buying the Moon Eclipse CD Player though it’s a bit beyond my budget right now. I am also thinking about 2 Sony players, the SCD-1 or SCD-XA777ES any comments on their Red Book performance. You guys have any other suggestions for a CD player or should I just stick to my current player & upgrade the cables?

I know these are a lot of questions, sorry but I need to get this problem sorted out.

Thanks again everybody.

I know the P5, it is very transparent. I also know the Bryston sound since I own a 4B-ST. I think your problem is that the Sim Audio P5's transparency is revealing the dryness of the Bryston power amp.

If I may suggest, check out Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval interconnects. I am using them on a Pioneer Elite Unviersal Player(DV-47A) going to a Perreaux Radiance R200i Integrated and I have been pretty happy with them. They definitely bettered a pair of Kimber Hero ICs.

Some of the attributes that reviewers gave this cables(and I would agree) that in term, prompt me to audition them were superb tonal color, and really powerful bass/midbass. Maybe that would cure the dryness you are talking about.

Hi all.........well I went & bought a pair of Parasound JC-1's the dryness is gone, this amp is liquid. However now I feel the bass slam is slightly lean. Matbe needs more break in. Now I want to get 2 power cords & some balanced interconnect between the P-5 & the power amp.

I need help again guys. Thanks. Anybody has any thoughts about the JC-1, I had nailed it down to Pass Labs X-350 & the moon W-6, I hope I didnt make a mistake going for the JC-1?

Thanks all.

Jiya3600. If you are happy with the sound of your JC-1's then you did well in your purchase. Now start enjoying the music and stay happy.

In a way you are right "Sherod"

Sometimes we get so obsessed with the sound & changing different gear that we for get to the main thing...music!!

Well I hope someone can give me some ideas on power cords & balanced cables. I am trying to get a good match for the setup I have. I have a few Gutwire PC but I need 2 identical ones for the 2 JC-1's, so wondering which one to get

I have tried a slew of power cords, but I am not familiar with your JC-1 amps. You might tell us your budget and someone can recommend from that.

I'm a big fan of Argent Audio's Brujo HC power cords on my Wavelength monoblocks. In my system they sound detailed, dynamic, coherent and open, with very good bass.

Ric at Argent will also make you a set of balanced Pursangs if you twist his arm. Those are some tasty interconnects!

Are you still liking the P-5 / JC-1 combo? My local dealer had me listening to the P-5 / W-6 monoblocks with the Nova CD and it sounded very nice. I asked him about his thoughts on the W-6's versus the JC-1's and he hadn't listened to them and couldn't comment. The W-6's are at home with me now (demo). Using my old Yamaha DSP-A3090 as a pre, Analysis Plus Oval 9 SC and Anaylsis Plus Copper Oval In IC from Pre to Amp and my old MIT Terminator 2 IC's from CD (Adcom GCD-750) to Pre.

Speakers are Nautilus 805's. I know Monoblocks are overkill for now, but I am looking into floorstanders next. New JMlab Electra 927's or maybe Dynaudio 3.0 or 3.3's...

Curious for the 'goners thoughts...

for jwu42

The JC1 & Moon P5 are a good match, though the JC1 needs very properly matched powercords & balanced cables. With the right cables the JC1 can sing. I havent invested in any new power or balanced cords which I need to.

I recently lost my job, so I havent got the money & neither the inclination to listen to music, my priority is to get a decent job. Infact to save electricity I keep all my equipments off, specially the JC1 which consumes a lot of power. So I really can't do any critical listening as I dont have enough time to warm up my gear.

If you compare the specs for the JC1 & W6, I think the JC1 is a little better. Also the JC1 has got stellar reviews, so check it out. The JC1 used price on audiogon is not huge, cause some snobs beleive that Parasound is not upto the level of ML, Krell, Jeff R & all the other hugely expensive power amps which is of course a gain for some people who dont have to mortgage their house to listen to music!! Of course not all Parasound is great...I would only buy the JC1 though IMHO.

Good luck........also either way both are good amps

Sorry to read you lost your job. Not on topic I realize- and maybe a little strange, but I know it can be hard. hope you are holding up & good luck finding the job you are looking for.

Timf
Thanks, its really hard when one looses a job & I didn't really mean to go off topic.
I was wondering to myself that I needed some good cables, which really is my next priority on my never ending quest for audio tweaking.......of course after I secure a good job:)