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

Nice additions.  I definitely agree with the break in suggestions, speaker placement and recalibrating subs (after electronics are fully broken in), etc.  But @mapman hit on what I was thinking too. Are the more resolving amp and pre combo just highlighting issues with quality of your source gear (or source material)?  The beauty and problem of upgrading critical parts of a HiFi system is that you can now notice the value of other improvements, and the weaknesses in parts of the system you hadn’t noticed previously - what makes this hobby both interesting and a challenge.

kn

The key question is: what exactly did he find objectionable or lacking in terms of sound quality or tone in the MA 352 Hybrid? Only once we know this can we offer any recommendations. Furthermore, the person asking the question has not specified which other devices are part of his system.

“Is my new amp TOO GOOD?”
 

Nothing is too good……

Unless it is too good to believe.

I recently had the exact same problem with a new Micromega m 100. Certain female voices, I could hear what sounded like clipping. I did not notice this at first listen out of the box. I thought I had a bad tweeter, so I switch speakers and experienced the same static. To eliminate my sources, I plugged in a set headphones and again experienced static with seemingly high pitched female vocalists . I changed out the amp to my Electrocompaniet and perfect sound returned. My solution was to retuned the Micromega and my dealer is going to test a new one and ship me another amp. Never experienced anything like this before, and I have 7 recently purchased amps.