I’ve been fighting this battle for a while now. Last year, I posted this on WhatsBestForum: "On the track "Like Someone in Love" on Diana Krall’s Turn Up the Quiet, there’s the line "Each time I look at you I’m limp as a glove," with the word "Each" hitting at about 2:45 into the song (it also appears earlier). I’m listening via digital, both on Tidal and to a locally-stored file.
The word "Each" sounds harsh and too hot on my system. I initially tried tweaking my speaker positions, but then started doing things like changing DAC filters, switching from network to USB to AES, and changing cables. I can ameliorate it by cutting 3dB at around 2800Hz with a Q of 3 using Roon’s parametric EQ, but I really don’t want to, and I like the sound in nearly all other situations without any EQ." BTW, I also experience similar narrow-frequency harshness from my vinyl side.
My system is Pachanko Labs Constellation Mini SE server/player with Stellar external linear power supply into dCS Lina Network DAC or Clearaudio Performance DC AiR table with Tracer arm and Hana ML cart into Modwright PH9.0 XT phono preamp. Amplification is Dan D’Agostino Progression Integrated, and speakers are Von Schweikert Endeavor SEs (Model.ONE). Speaker cables are MasterBuilt Ref.2 and interconnects are Hapa Audio. LAN cables are M101 Novas, and I have a PS Audio regenerator.
After a year or so, I’ve determined that the harshness is primarily driven by my 18’ x 18’ square room and a complex early reflection problem that’s tough to mitigate due to decor and the happy wife = happy life syndrome. Another issue is that my ears are now 73 years old. Just as tinnitus tends to manifest itself by our brains simulating frequencies our ears can no longer detect, we can develop hypersensitivity to certain frequencies as we age.
I’m no longer chasing perfection in audio reproduction; I’m chasing satisfaction. That means that rather than having a particular recording drive me crazy, I’m focusing on the thousands of others that still bring me great joy.
