Transients hurting my ears on hifi solid state amps

It occurred to me that my gear may have been experiencing microphonic induced distortion which can happen even at moderate volume. I was able to solve it with isolation pucks. In my case, Isoacoustic Oreos. Nordost sort Kones also worked well.  Even low volume can affect equipment.

I hope you find a solution which brings back the joy of listening to music again.

Thanks for sharing that experience. Certain types of distortion seem to really be key for many aspects and it's good to know that proper isolation can be of such a help

Thanks for the quick replies. I totally agree that the listening space is crucial, not off-base at all. I have had the system in different rooms and my listening room is currently treated with a good number of GIK panels and bass traps. The room can cause issues, but I don't it's affecting the main issue I'm hearing.

I usually don't toe in speakers at all, and the Buchardt recommends to keep them straight. Toe-in does make the sound brighter, but I don't feel it affects the main issue I'm trying to describe. To exaggerate, the transients feel like loud noises that make you instinctively close your eyes.

My ears are evidently particularly sensitive to this. I knew that I could only listen to headphones at very low volumes, but before getting into better gear, I had never had issues with speaker systems. Would be interesting to hear if anybody else has had something similar.

Thanks for the Luxman recommendation. That's a brand that I associate with the kind of sound I'm looking for, but haven't had the chance to test and it's unfortunately not in my budget.

Thanks atmasphere! That’s a very detailed explanation and makes sense to me. Sound pressure is exactly what I’m feeling. I know Nelson Pass talks a lot about different ordered harmonics regarding his designs. Not sure they would be right, but out of my price range unfortunately.

Thanks for the Croft recommendation too, I’ll look into it. I think I had it as an option at some point, not sure why I decided against it. I’m ideally looking for an all solid state design, but open to having tubes in the pre.

I have two turntables with very different cartridges (MC and MM) and I don’t feel that makes the difference. Adjusting VTA, especially on the Hana SL, makes a difference in terms of smoothness/harshness, but it’s not the main issue. I also feel the issue with different DACs.

Thanks everyone for the advice. There are indeed a lot of things to look at that could help out, even though I still feel there's something related to air pressure and very fast transients that's particularly bugging my sensitive ears, and that it's coming mainly from the amplifier. I've had 3 amplifiers that were fine (Audio Analogue Puccini SE is the one I haven't mentioned) and two that were not, all other things being equal. But certainly working on the rest might make more amplifiers work for me.

I'll see if I find a picture of my main listening room, it's temporarily not used as such, so I can't take one now. I do have panels in first and second reflection points, as well as some extra panels and bass traps. But I tried the amps mostly in another room, which was less treated, so there might be something to that also.

My interconnects are mostly Morrow Cables. I know they are not the smoothest and especially the ones containing a part of silver could be particularly problematic. But I didn't find that changing them to other interconnects (QED for instance) helped, other than losing a lot of definition and clarity. I will try to find some good cables to try out. I use Isotek Initium and Premier power cables mostly because they're the only ones doing a Swiss version. No power conditioning, just an audiophile power strip without any filtering. The power cords do make the amps have more clarity and rhythm, and I believe the transients are faster with those cables. I did also try with normal cables, but they didn't completely solve the issue. Perhaps I should change my power socket (I'm renting, so wanted to avoid) at home so I could try other power cables, such as the Shunyata.

Thanks for the recommendations again. I would love to try Pass Labs or First Watt amps, and they are on top of my endgame list, but I would like to avoid class A because of the heat and electricity consumption. They are also currently out of my budget unfortunately (ideally max 2000$, perhaps stretching to 3000$). Because of the current use case, an integrated with auto standby would be better than having to manually power on and power off various components (e.g. when watching TV or putting background music). Some other recommendations were also too expensive. But if it's correct as @audioman58 states that moving to higher end amplifiers would help, that would be very positive news.

From the ones listed, Naim is the one closes to my budget and easiest to test around here. Hegel would also be a possibility, even though stretching the budget a bit and I don't like paying for a streamer and a DAC I won't use. Perhaps a used one would make sense as proposed by @curiousjim, even though I'm not sure I need to go as far up the line as H360.

I also checked the Hafler amps, somewhat limited supply here in Europe and I'm not sure I want to go the vintage route for now.

Any recommendations regarding Naim, could the Nait 5SI be ok or should I move up the line or go with an older model?

I currently have a Primaluna Dialogue Premium integrated and I'm very happy with it.

Are you happy with it, and it does not have the shrillness?

Yes, I'm very happy with the Primaluna, but looking for a solid state alternative

Is the Marantz the shrill one?

No, that and the Puccini are SS that are smooth enough for me, but lack in other areas.

I'm looking to switch back to solid state (class AB) for various reasons

What are those?

I currently have my main system in the living room, which is also connected to TV and used for background music, so the hassle of warm up time, no stand by, etc. is leading to less listening. Also, I'm trying to avoid something that heats up as much and uses that much current.

Thanks @duckworp for the detailed account. Sorry to hear you have the same or a similar issue, but happily you have found a good option for music listening. Your problems sound very familiar, albeit perhaps a little stronger. It does seem that very high end gear can produce fantastic sound without being aggressive and hopefully, taking care of the issues solid state produces. Thanks for the feedback on Naim, it does have a reputation for dynamics and liveliness, so perhaps not the best option. Perhaps a used Luxman could be in my budget.

The EQ is an good idea to investigate, especially as they can be had for cheap. It would be interesting to see if certain frequencies are the issue.

Thanks again for all the fantastic suggestions, I will look into Odyssey, Krell, etc. that are options closer to my budget.

If I did go that class A route, does anyone have experience with First Watt amplifiers in this context? I know the different models have different flavors and I'm not sure which would be most suitable (if any). Used or a DIY kit could make that option more affordable. Any relatively cheap solid state preamp recommendations for a class A power amp?

THE OP's BUDGET IS $2000 !

Thanks, indeed, many of the suggestions are clearly above my budget. I did mention I was flexible until $3000 and perhaps this could get me something second hand, even though Switzerland is not the best country for that, it being outside the EU and having a small internal market. I can also go higher if I really see that's what I really need to find what I'm looking for, but that depends on how well I can sell some of the other equipment and also on making sacrifices elsewhere. However, it would be great to have options in the $2000 range.

One of my main frustrations, especially having limited possibilities to hear things for myself, is that reviews rarely talk about this aspect clearly. The Rogue Sphinx gets rave reviews from all the main outlets, but I don't remember having had a sense of it being so aggressive from reviews. Smoothness and lack of fatigue are things that don't come up in a coherent way, so I find it hard to identify which amps would work for me based on reviews.

^This *mirrors my thinking. I have PL amp, and while it is pretty good… I have the same thoughts, but the warm up time is not a deal breaker for me… but then again I do not wait an hour, I just fire it up and go.

Glad to know I'm not alone in this also and I hope you find the best solution for you. It is a dilemma and energy prices and long-term tube availability questions are not necessarily in favor of tubes unfortunately. I personally thought it wouldn't be as much of a hassle and to some extent this is more of an issue for my wife. I do only wait for the minute or so it takes until it's on, but that combined with it not having auto stand-by (the amp sometimes stays on the whole night or other long periods by accident) and not being able to turn it on from a remote all accumulates. Tubes are also a hassle, a driver tube just gave up and the amp thought it was the power tube, so it took me a while to know what was wrong. The feeling of never knowing when some tube is going to die adds to the burden somehow. I do miss something simpler, even though I love the sound of tubes.

Given the budget, and the fact you have 3 amps that were/are fit for purpose… seems like it is a safe bet to just stick with what works.

I agree, but that would be only the case for the PL. After being used to better, the Marantz PM6005 is too entry level for me and there's too much missing for me. I sold the Puccini. I though it was too colored and didn't really do it for me. I was really smooth for a SS though and a step up from the Marantz, even though maybe not enough.

Might want to consider a Naim Super Nait 3

There have been conflicting advise on Naim, but it has been mentioned a couple of times. Could the Super Nait specifically (2 included) be a possible solution? I've had some good experiences with Naim in other systems, but in very different settings, and I have sometimes found it bright and abrasive, but that could have been the speakers too (Focals in one case). It definitely got me emotionally a few times.

Thanks for the Shunyata recommendations, perhaps my Isotek cables are not helping.

I think that Class A is your solution

That's the feeling I've had for a while and I'm open to that despite the downsides. Budget is also an issue, as there are not many good class A options around $2000 (or even $3000). Separates are also not ideal for practical purposes (in addition to their price), except if the power amp has stand by and can be woken up by the pre (I have no idea whether this exists / is common). Apparently European versions have more eco modes and other such options for regulatory purposes. 

A quick summary of recommendations so far:

Class AB

• Croft Integrated (tube hybrid)
• Naim (Super Nait) (possibly not as smooth as other options)
• Hegel H360 (possibly not as smooth as other options)
• L-505UX II
• Luxman L-509X
• Accuphase E380-480

Class A

• Used Hafler DH200/220
• Used Krell
• ModWright KWA (A/AB)
• Odyssey Khartago Extreme
• Luxman L-550AXII
• Parasound Hint (A/AB)
• Pass Labs (XA-25) - what about INT-25?
• Accuphase

Cables / accessories

• Shunyata (Venom) Power Cables and Conditioner

I didn’t take into account every recommendation, especially not the very high end options mentioned simply as current equipment. They should be more or less ordered according to price.

The most convincing tend to be, unsurprisingly, above my budget, so I’ll have to think about that.

Any comments on this list are welcome, especially as to how they compare, or if someone believes I shouldn’t consider some of these options. Any additions, especially in more reasonable budgets would be very useful, and hopefully not just for me.

If I had the budget, a Luxman or Accuphase would be my favorites at the moment, especially as they exist as relatively normal integrated amps. I would also prefer established brands in this price range. Or perhaps a Pass Labs integrated, but that stretches the budget much too far and they are to my knowledge hard to come by on the secondary market, especially in European versions, and I can’t try them out anywhere close by.

Regarding Luxman and Accuphase, would the class AB models be "smooth enough" or should I focus on class A as some have recommended, despite power consumption (and price, especially for Accuphase)?

Based upon Duckworp's post, have you scheduled an appointment with an audiologist/ENT?  All the suggested equipment fixes are nonsense if you don't address the root cause of your problem!

I didn't indeed react to that part in detail. I have been to an ENT and although he could see that subjectively I was sensitive to loud noises, there was nothing physiologically wrong and nothing that could be done from a medical point of view. I've been more sensitive than average for as long as I can remember, feeling the need for earplugs when others didn't, struggling with headphone listening, etc. I play instruments and have been in bands. As said, listening on a speaker system, I never had this issue before going to higher end models and my theory was that the higher precision and faster transients translate to a higher perceived air pressure.

Suggest adding the Sugden A21SE to your list of class A amps.

Thanks, added!

 ...purchase of a used Luxman L-505uxii.  It really mitigated the problem and is a fantastic match with my speakers.  I had Herron pre and Pass XA-25 power (tube pre, class A power) and I do miss the smoothness in some backing vocals.  Overall a very smooth, engaging, dynamic, and powerful presentation though...

Thanks, that sounds like a similar case to mine indeed. There is a 505 for a similar price than you paid in Germany currently, which could be an option. The 509 is very tempting and seems like a big step up, but too much over by budget, even used. Looking at the reviews of the 505, the smoothness doesn't get a lot of mention, rather the precision, quickness and power. I worry that it might not be smooth enough in terms of what I'm worried about regarding these fast transient and air pressure. However, if this is rather an issue of frequencies, harmonic distortion as several have mentioned, or glare as you put it, perhaps I'm looking at the problem wrong.

I do have a feeling that part of what works for me in tube amps is that they are usually described as "slower" and that slight smoothing of transients agrees better with my ears, in addition to the smoother presentation. So I fear that powerful solid state amps could be an issue, therefore the lower powered class A amps feel like a safer choice. But again, perhaps this is a wrong diagnosis from my part.

@wlutke Can you described a little more in detail the difference in sound compared to the Pass Labs, especially regarding the aspects I mention?

Thanks @wlutke for the detailed description! That sounds very enticing and I'm surprised that you find the Luxman more engaging than the Pass Labs. Perhaps it's a question of lack of power, but in any case those speakers look amazing. I think the level of micro detail would be sufficient for me on the Luxman, but the slightly less powerful and slightly more laid back presentation would perhaps be a safer bet.

 I misquoted the power on the Pass though.  It’s 25 Wpc at 8 Ohms, 50 Wpc at 4.

Thanks for the clarification @wlutke, 50 did sound a lot from what I remember about those Pass amps. My speakers are not the most efficient either, so not sure it would be a great match, except if my low power hypothesis is correct. I don't mind if the sound is smoothed out a little, like on my tube amp in triode mode.

Thanks @holmz for the various very good points and suggestions. Just a clarification on one point, as this is one of the things I'm trying to understand here:

I doubt that the amps are any “faster”, as most amps play 20kHz just fine, and nothing is going to arrive faster from a 2kHz signal, than a 20kHz signal.

With fast I mean that the transients, the typical example being the hit on a snare, are quick and powerful. So in a graph measuring the sound pressure, the peak would be higher and narrower on a "fast" amplifier and lower and flatter on a "slow" amp. The sound is more compressed in a "slow" amplifier and thus the hit of a snare or the initial transient of a piano note will be felt as softer by the ear.

I understand that there are other factors discussed that heavily influence the perception, but I do believe that this is part of the equation. Low powered amplifiers would in my understanding be therefore more suitable to avoid the problems I've had. It is not so much sustained notes that cause issues for me, but the percussive sounds and initial attacks on many instruments.

Pre-owned Parasound A21 amps can be found for ~$1200. Their distortion profile is primarily 2nd order, which is very rare among amps below $5K, and output enough power to provide plenty of headroom for nearly any speaker.

Your argument is exactly the opposite of what I'm discussing in my previous post and I find that really interesting. I would need to experience that for myself and see whether the distortion profile would be enough of a key factor. I definitely get the idea of more clarity making it easier to hear details and thus make listening less fatiguing. I wonder whether this is what I'm sensitive to. The combo you propose does sound very attractive and reasonably priced.

If it is as you say, then I would think that it would show up more in music with has a high dynamic range, where the peak level would be much higher than the RMS level. And then on music that’s more compressed, we would not have the snare drum attacks at the higher amplitude to begin with.

Have you noticed something like ^that^ which correlates with the bad sounds?

@holmz Yes, I hadn't thought about it in the context of this discussion, but I remember that highly compressed records (DR 5 or 6 for example) were much easier to listen to and in many cases I didn't have any trouble with them. In more audiophile recordings, for example the typical Diana Krall example, the piano notes were uncomfortable. Even in something as calm as Case of You from Live in Paris (ORG 45RPM LP) I was wincing at the initial attack of the notes. I think the compressed music was more a solution in the case with the Arcam than the Sphinx. I did have the latter for less time, but it was quite an extreme version of this issue for me.

Unfortunately, I don't have the two offending amplifiers to do measurements with, but that would indeed have been very interesting.

My issue certainly comes from a combination of things and I'm certain distortion and other characteristics play into this. What I'm not sure is whether a highly dynamic amplifier will ever be acceptable to my ears, whatever the other characteristics.

As mentioned, I'm limited in what I can try out nearby, and also in buying and selling used gear to try them out, and therefore trying to narrow down the options. But I will try to find ways of testing these hypotheses. Of course the ideal result would be that I don't need to limit myself to less dynamic, less powerful and "slower" amplifiers. The downside is that most of the options with the correct distortion profile, etc. are quite pricey, even though some reasonable options seem to exist.

^I think we are making progress.^

Yes, thanks, that was a good suggestion regarding compressed music and I'll use that also when testing out amps.

Here's where I'm at currently: I'm leaning toward class A, despite my worries about power consumption and heat. This is based on the hypothesis regarding transients and dynamics, but also other reasons, related to the distortion characteristics and the sound signature, often associated with most class A amplifiers.

Looking at the options discussed, the Pass Labs INT-25 is on the top of the list at the moment. I'm trying to be open to higher budgets given the options discussed, but even ex demo or used units remain perhaps too pricey. But the smooth, warm, liquid sound that many reviewers note could be exactly what should work for me. I would likely be underpowering my current speakers, but in a way, that might be a good thing.

In the case of Luxman, I think I would need to go to the 590 (similarly priced to the Pass), or perhaps 550. But even if it's considered smooth, it is a very different sound compared to the Pass Labs, a more neutral and balanced presentation, less forgiving of bad recordings, so I'm not sure if that's for me.

Reading about Sudgen and seeing reviews comparing it to Pass Labs, there seems to be more energy in the highs and there isn't the same smoothness and warmth. I wasn't convinced that was the one for me. There is also no standby mode, which I would ideally like to have.

Not sure about class A/AB amps, such as Parasound, given their high power ratings and reviews being less clear about the smoothness (the best proxy I have found for the sound I'm looking for).

Accuphase could be an option, both class A and AB, but they are expensive and their availability is limited, both new and used.

I would like to stick to integrated amps, just because of the need for an easy to use, that's the reason I feel the need to move from my current tube amp. However, I was wondering whether there are class A separates where the power amp can be turned on and off (or toggle the standby mode) from the preamp? I've seen mentions of this communication being possible, but haven't seen a pairing that does this. Space is not really the issue here. As mentioned before, First Watt amplifiers would be high on my list, but they don't fill the ease of use criteria.

The ideal would still be to find a class AB amp, but I haven't really found a way to judge which models could work for me. Higher end amps are usually very powerful and I worry that it translates to an overly microdynamic sound. Most reviews don't seem to find the options discussed (listed in a previous post) that easy on the ears, for example Stereophile says about the Croft:

the Croft didn't spare me the bad news of the peaky top ends that made cymbals sizzle overmuch, over-emphasized vocal sibilants, and suchlike.

Thanks in advance for any comments on these current conclusions I've drawn, as well as possible suggestions for alternatives to the Pass Labs, be it class A integrated or communicating separates, or class AB options that you think would fit with what I'm looking for.

It is indeed in part a sideways move and that's why I would ideally find a class AB solid state option. However, heat wasn't the only reason to move away from tubes.

Other examples were the one-minute warm up time during which the amp is on mute, having to switch it to my preferred triode mode, having to keep it turned on in case I want to use it again in the near future, as each cycle damages the tubes and because you need to wait for a certain time before starting it up again to save tubes.

There are also security concerns with children and just the hassle of tubes: their long-term availability, searching for the ideal NOS tubes, finding the best combination, etc. Some people like tube rolling and the possibility to adapt the sound to their liking, but I would prefer an amp with no tweaking possibilities that can be just left as is. I'm being very negative here, but it's just to make the point regarding the accumulation of things that have been bothering me at different points. I do love my tubes in guitar gear (including in various pedals) and wouldn't ever imagine going solid state there, but it's just a very different use case.

The Pass lacks auto standby, which is its biggest drawback. But you can turn it on and off with the remote any time without needing to worry about hurting any component of it. And if its left on unattended, there's not the same danger as if a tube goes bad. But the current draw and heat at idle are definitely concerns on the Pass. To me, it would at least be a pretty good step in the right direction in terms of what my concerns are with my PrimaLuna, even though it's not ideal as you point out. In addition, I do believe, and hope for the price, that it would be a move up in terms of sound, as you also allude to.

You mention the Stereophile measurement look good, are there aspects I should look out for in measurements that could help me identify the amp that might work for me? I've never really tried to understand measurements.

Thanks @holmz! ;) You're completely right to question my choices and conclusions, that's often the most helpful thing to do. I do tend to overthink things as you can see, but it definitely doesn't mean I'm necessarily right.

Since the OP is referring to "transients", could it also not be due to his amplifier using excessive loop negative feedback, which might be causing Transient Intermodulation Distortion?

I really appreciate all the technical discussion as I'm not knowledgeable about those aspects at all and it would be great if that could help me identify the right amps for me.

Something more reasonably priced and class AB would still be the ideal option, even if I catch myself dreaming about Pass Labs and other amazing amps like that.

Denafrips Hyperion

I'll be ordering soon.

I think I mentioned I have a Denafrips DAC and really like it, so I'd be open to options from that brand. Any particular reasons this amp could be a good option for what I'm looking for? The lack of a return policy is not ideal in this situation.

I have concerns that any of these amplifiers will properly drive your speakers which are 4 ohm and recommend 40-200 watts to drive them. I had suggested in an earlier post that Class A might solve your problem, but sole focus on Class A at the expense of the necessary power depth might result in a less engaging system. 

Thanks for your research. That could indeed be an issue. My theory was that underpowering the speakers to some extent might ensure a softer sound with less of this to me transient-related problems. I also know that power rating is not everything and that tube amps, and to a somewhat lesser extent class A amps, are more powerful that what their rating tells us.

I use my PrimaLuna almost exclusively in triode mode, which is 25W and I enjoy the sound and there's weight and power to the sound in general and bass in particular. However, I do miss things that the more powerful amps could do detail retrieval, projecting the sound into the room and soundstage. The ultralinear mode, which gives you 42W, improves objectively on these aspects, but there's a magic and to me a more engaging sound that comes with the triode mode that I miss and I always end up going back that mode.

I also don't necessarily consider these to be speakers that will be with me for many years to come, so I could accept having an amp that isn't a perfect match for a while until I have the budget to upgrade the speakers.

However, I would like to be at least not limited to low-powered amplifier. One of my main worries is that as you go up to better amplifiers, the power rating usually goes up too, class A (and tubes) being the exception. I still struggle to identify amplifiers that could work for me irrespective of their power rating and any help on this is welcome.

class AB solid state amps with high bias to class A

Does this simply mean amps where after X watts, it switches from A to AB? This type of amplifier could be a great solution and the Arcam, even though I had issues with it, had something that I really enjoyed and it used what they call class G, but is basically A/AB in my understanding. I'm trying to stretch my budget, but the Coda is quite expensive, especially when factoring in the preamp cost, and I would prefer an integrated. Are there any other suggestions for this type of amps?

I can make a recommendation of a class AB amp that would work for you within your budget. I'm currently using a Bryston 4B SST2.  I find it fatigue free.

Thanks for sharing, great setup and great amp. If going the separates route, I'd unfortunately also need a preamp and I mentioned I would like the ease of use of an integrated, or at least be able to control the power amp (on/off/standby) from the preamp. The amp does seem smooth, especially in the treble, but when I read things in reviews such as "The piano notes were sharply defined", The bass notes from the drum kit struck quickly or "the cymbals for the drum kit sounded sharp", I worry if this amp would be work for me in terms of this "transient" issue that I'm fixated on. Again, I find it hard to identify the amps that work for me based on reviews, specs and measurements.

Thanks @yyzsantabarbara for the propositions and sharing your experience. Those Krells look amazing and the integrated would be perfect. Unfortunately they are out of my price range currently.

That's a pretty impressive amount of listening indeed! I'm jealous now ;) Hard to imagine that one could listen to too much music, but I understand the worry for the ears. I know there's a relation with how many dbs you can listen for how long without damage, so I imagine with the adequate volume you can listen as much as you'd like.

I'll definitely do my best with the room acoustics. I can currently only listen in the living room, which has issues acoustically. I've put some panels and did my best, but I'm limited by WAF and other factors. But there is something inherent in some amps that don't agree with me (at least combined with the current speakers) and I had issues in 3 different rooms of the apartment, one of which has a lot of acoustic treatment.

Looks also like I really need to save up and invest in higher end gear at some point...

@jdub39 thanks! How I'm feeling definitely affects this problem and I have allergies. That's a good point. I do have an air purifier in the bedroom and allergy medication at hand, I'll test out if I see a relationship between these things.

Thanks for all the very helpful insights and comments! Based on those and other information, I ended up with the Hegel H95. Class A amplifiers were very tempting, but pricey and didn't fulfil the requirements for ease of use. Finally, it came down to Naim and Hegel, but the Naim was supposedly the more aggressive of the two. The H95 was also described as smoother and having less leading edges on notes than the H120 or H190 for instance, which seemed to go in the right direction.

I'm really surprised by how smooth the sound is with the Buchardt S300 mkII, especially out of the box and even with the internal DAC, which is known to be rather bright and Chord-like. It's a completely different experience from the Arcam SA20 and, of course, the Rogue Sphinx. I wonder if part of the smoothness comes from the lower power (60W vs. 90W and 100W respectively) and whether the Arcam is more aggressive than I thought it was compared to other amps. Very dynamic recordings can still have transients that are slightly hard for me (e.g. snare hits) and some harsher frequencies are at times present, but I can totally live with those.

In general, it's evidently not as smooth, rich, full, 3D and mellow as the PrimaLuna in triode mode, but I was very impressed by the sound quality of the Hegel. Detailed, engaging, lifelike, very good soundstage, not stuck to speakers, beautiful spatial cues, etc. It doesn't project voices for instance in front as some do (including the Arcam and Rogue), but everything is very nicely separated and you can focus on the different instruments and voices easily.

Based on my experience, I can recommend the H95 for those having trouble with fatigue or finding amps too bright or aggressive. I have no experience on what happens once you go up the line, especially if you have sensitive speakers, but from what I've gathered, in terms of transient energy, leading edges as mentioned above, and slam, you will get a less smooth and mellow experience. However, I am curious to hear the H190, and especially the H390, even though I'm more than happy with the entry-level model and not planning to upgrade anytime soon!