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Is my new amp TOO GOOD?

I recently took advantage of the McIntosh Upgrade program.  I traded my MA352 integrated hybrid for the C2800 tube preamp + MC462 ss power amp.  I have a large room with Revel Studio 2 speakers (with beryllium tweeters), and two SVS subs.  I also have some room treatments on the walls.   

I traded up because I wanted to see if I could more detail with the extra watts while keeping the tube sound I like.  

So now I have much more detail, but its sometimes too much.  Higher frequencies - like high pitched loud vocals, and some of the detail now sounds almost like static.  If I turn the volume way up I can hear that its another guitar or a background vocal.

I have turned the treble down from -1 to -4, and I can't listen at 90 db all the time.

Does anyone have any suggestions about adjusting the eq/

 

mojo771
mojo771 OP
111 posts
 

Two great responses. 

I didn't think about break in.  

You both mentioned speaker position.  Right now they are a pretty good 11 foot triangle, toed slightly out.  

I've had 2 other people listen and they think everything is ok, so it must just be my ears, and why I like tubes so much.  

I actually bought this amp a couple years ago, but with a ss preamp.  It hurt my ears so much I had to return it.

So I could add more room treatment - I have several absorption on the sides, and a combo of absorb / deflectors in the back.  And i can move the speakers, but, which way?

mojo771 OP
111 posts
 

The guy from the dealer was extremely helpful but I don't think that experienced, so no, I haven't gone back to them.

McIntosh, love their stuff, but I've never once received a response to a few questions/problems in the past.  not once.  Not even when I had a new product / purchase question.  I would have to give their customer support an F-

So I'm hoping for some ideas from the experts here :)

mojo771 OP
111 posts
 

The guy from the dealer was extremely helpful but I don't think that experienced, so no, I haven't gone back to them.

McIntosh, love their stuff, but I've never once received a response to a few questions/problems in the past.  not once.  Not even when I had a new product / purchase question.  I would have to give their customer support an F-

So I'm hoping for some ideas from the experts here :)

mojo771 OP
111 posts
 

The guy from the dealer was extremely helpful but I don't think that experienced, so no, I haven't gone back to them.

McIntosh, love their stuff, but I've never once received a response to a few questions/problems in the past.  not once.  Not even when I had a new product / purchase question.  I would have to give their customer support an F-

So I'm hoping for some ideas from the experts here :)

billpete
396 posts
 

I think you need to break the new gear and tubes in before you can get a proper evaluation. You might hear improvement by 50 hours or so, some things take longer to break in. As others say, too good is not a likely scenario. A great amp can only help even lesser gear, Mismatches can happen but I don't think you have that. Some do say that the beryllium tweeters can be bright........others love them. If they weren't too bright before, they shouldn't be now either. Give this stuff some time to break in. No idea what tubes you have either but they can make a big difference. New or NOS tubes can sound pretty bad, so can new components, at least to some degree. As Mulveling says, you can also try to reposition your speakers but I suspect tubes are your main issue. Try some others if you can. Best of luck and keep posting your finds. 

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