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 you bought this amp before and returned it? Maybe the amp is revealing an issue with your system or maybe it doesn't sound good to your ears. If your mostly hearing the "static" at 90dB it may be the room becoming pressurized and interacting with unkind harmonics. I had a 1000W class D and could not resist turning it up but the room would "honk" at me. Ask the dealer to borrow a revealing demo amp with a warmer sound, if its good then your pre and tubes are fine. If it doesn't then its the amp you don't like or there is/are issues with your system including speaker position, room treatment and importantly, noise control. If you don't have dedicated lines take all smps's, lights and small electronics off the circuit and turn off overhead lights. If your streaming there are a lot of places noise can get in or add noise.
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What’s the source? If phono make sure everything is set up right with a good matched cartridge and stylus not worn or damaged. In any case, phono or digital, make sure each devices output level matches properly to the input sensitivity of the next device upstream. Input/output levels may be adjustable in some cases, a very nice feature whenever mixing and matching components. Oh and never forget to check all connections. All it takes is one bad one to destroy the sound quality. It also helps to swap 1 piece of gear in and out as a test to help isolate a problem. That’s why I’d recommend always keeping spares around if at all possible. |
I have a suggestion, buy an Accuphase 😁 just kidding. I had a McIntosh MA12000 integrated amplifier and it took forever to break-in. It started out sounding harsh, edgey and muddy, thete was no telling what was going on. But when it broke-in it was fantastic! I also remembered repositioning my spkrs several times to get the sound right. Cables make a huge difference. EQ on McIntosh is fantastic so experiment.
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When I was considering a move to the McIntosh MC462, my dealer, who is virtually around the corner from the factory and has been doing this a long time, cautioned me that the MC462 is a departure from older Mac amps. Although not quite as warm sounding as its predecessors, it provides detail and layers that the previous iterations don't offer. Break-in for that amp is very real and requires patience, and it is a very good match with my Sonus Faber speakers. I had a Mac C53 preamp for a while and it was a disappointment. There are many excellent suggestions here for getting you where you want to be with your equipment mix, and I imagine the C28 with different tubes, as suggested, is another good option. |
