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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
 

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. 

mojo771 OP
111 posts
 

These are great ideas.  So far, I've moved the speakers - toed a bit more out.  Not only has this seemed to lessen the harshness, it seems to widen the soundstage.  I have a friend who likes the speakers in front to mimic a live performance.  But I prefer more of a headphone sound... wider sound, like I'm in the middle of the band instead of several rows back

xmbw4
36 posts
 

The other posters gave you some really good advice with regards to break in. That could definitely be the issue. I would also look at your preamp. I believe McIntosh offers individual gain adjustment on the inputs. If its too high, it could overdrive the input on your amp. If you can, try lowering it. Gain should be set for as much as you need, but no more. From that point on, just use your volume control. It can't harm the signal, so you can set it as high as you want. Also, you can try the different taps on the autoformers. Try all of them and pick the one that sounds best. You won't hurt anything by using the different taps.

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