2. amps-preamps
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System upgrade advice

My current setup is okay but the high end is too shrill. Some may call it sibilant. Its driving me nuts. My setup is:

Proceed PRE preamp
Rotel RB 1080 2 ch. amp
Oppo BDP-95
Paradigm Studio 60 v2

It does seem that the Paradigm tweeter is where the issue is since I also connected them to a Yamaha AV. The Yamaha toned it down a bit but the whole sound went down a notch. I'm considering replacing them with maybe some used speakers around $2.5k (pair) like some B&W 804s. If I did that, would I have totally out classed the Rotel and Proceed?

Looking some general advice or similar stories. Tired of my ears bleeding

Thanks.
vjb
whitecap
110 posts
 
Hold on, the room is completely bare? I'm not familiar with your gear, but if you've got all hardood floors, no drapes, no nothing to tame the slap echo and highs, do yourself a favor a start with room treatments, rather than new components. And by that I mean start with a carpet, perhaps drapes, some wall treatments, etc. You might be amazed.
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
+1 Whitecap. This is also what I said to the OP many posts ago. No amount of new gear is going to solve the problem until you look at the often overlooked component first - the room!
This is your problem Vjb.
mesch
3,394 posts
 
Yes! The room. I am not familiar with the Proceed pre, however feel that the Rotel/Paradigm might be a too bright match. Possibly a warmer sounding amp might be in order as well.
Voice the room 1st.
eljack
9 posts
 
The easy thing to do is experiment with speaker placement and treat the first reflection of the speakers with something that absorbs the treble. GIK Acoustics is what I use and it's very reasonably priced. I think I paid about $200 shipped for my panels IIRC

I've never liked the treble in the many Rotel components I've heard but I haven't heard your particular one.
vjb OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for the input. I will look into the carpet and room treatment options.

As suggested, I connected my Oppo directly to the amp and found that it did make a noticeable difference. The treble was not as bad although still a tad bright. Unfortunately, I also seemed to lose a bit on the bass end. I will have to experiment so more.

I also tried out an older Rotel preamp but the Proceed sounded better yet both seemed to be bright. What preamps tend to be warmer? I'd be looking towards used equipment if anything.

The interconnects are AudioQuest Evergreen ($40) and also Sound Wave by Cables to Go($40).

Thanks.
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