2. amps-preamps
  3. 1067938727

What can i do to make my tube preamp sound warmer?

Hi,

I have an Adcom GFA5802 300WATTS POWER AMP connected via $200 Vivanco Silver interconnects to a Line Stage Tube Preamplifier... The output sound from my 3 way Cerwin Wega Speakers is too bright and shrill.. As the volume is increased, the sound hurts the ears and makes me wanna switch it off .. I dont know adams about tubes, and it will help greatly if someone could let me know what changes in the tubes will make the overall sound more smooth, balanced and warm..

Preamp Tube Specs

Power Supply : 5Y3 ; Line-Stage Tubes : 12AX7A x 3
royston_david
swklein
136 posts
 
By all means, ditch the interconnect. Silver is often bright and lean. If a copper interconnect doesn't do the trick, you might want to talk to Kevin Deal about different tube options for your preamp. But I'd start with the interconnect.
elgordo
530 posts
 
Doesn't matter what kind of tubes or interconnects you try. You need to replace those Cerwin Vega speakers.
thinkat
63 posts
 
Please don't take offence, I hate when people say bad things about other people gear. I had a pair of those speakers for a while, hooked up to decent gear, and they never did sound acceptable to me. At the time I was partying a lot at home, and I liked the fact that they played real LOUD. If you want more refined sound think of a speaker change. There are many bargins out there.
jdombrow
371 posts
 
I have to disagree with the others about silver interconnects. While copper may sound better in your system, silver is not typically bright and lean sounding. I think when people first started expeimenting with silver cables this may have been the case, but with years of research and trials, silver cables being manufactured by many companies are now equally as smooth as copper.

On the other hand, I have to agree that your speakers are probably the culprit in your system.
rcprince
3,059 posts
 
I tend to agree with Elgordo and the others that the speakers are likely what is causing your problems (it could also be room acoustics), and no tube change or interconnect change is going to remedy the shrillness you hear. If you can borrow a different set of speakers to try in your room, that might be helpful for you to see if the CVs are the problem.
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