[Jaketh]

I'm always surprised when people want to get a certain piece of equipment, with a specific character, in order to mask something unpleasant in their system. This is the absolute wrong way in putting together a high quality system. OP, you need to find out what's causing the harshness and get rid of that piece! NOT buy a very poor quality dull amplifier to mask it.

Im here to learn, thanks for taking the time to provide this comment...no equipment has been purchased, am looking for your expert opinions and appreciate the opportunity to leverage your experiences.

Most of the time (90%), the harshness comes from speakers. Most speaker manufacturers use theoretical values for crossovers and they always get the 3KHz-5KHz region wrong. So this is something that you should be looking at first.

But also, from my experience, the Denon receivers sound atrocious.

 


This reads to me as "start over" as well, that's getting a lot of votes !

[Jaketh]

Look into (talk to) our own sponsor's offerings.
These guys are always helpful and offen times will go out of their way to please customer.

Preamp (stereo)
Dodd Audio Tube Buffer with HT pass-thru (I had Gary's full size preamp with HT feature and it was great in my multi-purpose setup)

Digital (stereo)
Eastern Electric DAC or cheaper Maverick Tube Magic D-1 DAC

Amp choice will have to do with your speakers choice but above two components can be integrated into your existing setup while you figure out the rest.

Thanks, I'll check this stuff out.  So, this is a nudge toward the original thought of getting a separate preamp/DAC involved.  Glad to hear it may help soften the blow in the meantime on the way to better speakers.

[Mariusz]

Dodd Audio battery powered tube Buffer/"pre" is a top notch component worth many times more then its asking price. Gary also builds tube battery powered amps. Using one of his buffers with 5ch (or 3ch & 2ch) custom battery powered amp(s) would be quite AWESOME!!!
As to HT setup, I would simply use DVD's build in decoding for surround sound (I own new Oppo and it deliveres - Modwright also modifies these players) 
I would hold back on any speaker recommendations but Gary (of Dodd Audio) is close friend of Danny of GR Research (speaker builder). Together, they might come up with some one of a kind ideas for your application/budget and taste.(hint: look into GR new open baffle speakers)

Give'em a call.
     
 

[Steidl Guitars]

I owned a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 v3 once upon a time, and they can surely be forward sounding with the wrong amp; with they right amp, they are quite nice.

I had them paired with a Musical Fidelity A5 and the pairing was horrific; nothing but glare and edginess.  It was my first foray into respectable gear, and I thought "if this is what it's meant to sound like, get me back to my 15-year-old NAD receiver and Boston Acoustic speakers!" 

In my haste to make the pain stop, I sold the Paradigms to a friend for next to nothing (with the caveat that I hated them!).  She asked me what integrated amp to buy, and it was shortly after Sam Telling flipped over the Onkyo A-9555, so I thought that might be worth a shot, plus it was reasonably priced.  Well, the pairing sounded terrific... I was shocked.  I've heard it many times since and I am still impressed. 

So I learned a lesson:  synergy among gear matters.  A lot!

I would not rush to replace the Paradigms, but I would suggest that you try a few different amps if you can, and lean to those folks suggest have a more "forgiving" nature.  If you are interested in DIY, I bet the Class D Audio amplifier being discussed in the Cheap and Cheerful section might be a good fit.  A tube pre-amp in front would help that much more. 

I'd also suggest a warmer-sounding interconnects (no silver!); I like Acoustic Zen Wow's, which fit that bill well, and can be had for < $150 used on Audiogon. 

Good luck.

[Mariusz]

Yupp ...... if you are into DIY or can commission someone to build it for you, I would say hell yeah. For around 1K you would have a killer pre/amp combo.
 

Check out "Cheap & Cheerful hifi" circle for great ideas.
Great guys willing to help out and pitch great ideas.
Guy that moderates the circle is an ASS but other then that great crowd.   

Mariusz    

[Jaketh]

Thanks again all for the helpful suggestions.  I'll pop over to that forum and see what's happening there.

I am 100% not a DIY-capable person, but a "please build it for me" plea may be forthcoming if it seems like a fit

[Mariusz]

Thanks again all for the helpful suggestions.  I'll pop over to that forum and see what's happening there.

I am 100% not a DIY-capable person, but a "please build it for me" plea may be forthcoming if it seems like a fit

Here are few links for you:

Class-D amp thread
Dodd Buffer thread
GR Open Buffle speakers kit
 

[K Shep]

I want my ears to stop bleeding and feel the love. 

I'll share a little of my experience over the last year.  Electronics - I went from a Sherwood receiver to NAD integrated to separates.  My move to separates included a VTL 2.5 tube preamp.  I walked into an audio shop and the VTL was playing.  I could hear what I thought was a smoother sound, I was told it was the tube preamp.  At that point I understood I may enjoy tubes, I had also visited a few of the audio websites and read a bunch about the differences between SS and tube gear.  Perhaps that is what you understand and the reason you say "future tube owner (i think)".  IMO tubes have a "smoother presentation" than SS.  I have compared my system to a Luxman 509 Integrated amp and the Luxman was much more forward and sharper around the edges, I prefer the sound of my tube pre/SS amp. 

I also own a Denon 1709 for HT duties in a different room from my 2 channel system, I find my Denon to be bright when I listen to music.  I understand why your current setup may  be "harsh".  In my opinion removing your Denon and adding a tube preamp would change the sound of your system.  Probably to a less "harsh" characteristic.  Not sure why members would call changing an AV receiver for a 2 channel tube preamp a bandaid, I think thats how I read it?

I don't know how much experience you have in this hobby but from me, I built my system, changed electronics, added a computer front end, changed speakers.  Once I achieved a sound that I liked I then started experimenting with cables.  For me cables don't make an audible difference in my system.   I have tried a bunch.  I'm not dogging those who have switched cabling and enjoy that part of our hobby, I am waiting for the aha moment.

Fortunately this site is friendly and most will share their experience and give good advice.

The best thing you can do is sit in front of as many different systems as possible.  i.e. visit audio shops.

[NeilT]

I'd change the speakers.

PM sent
Neil

[Jaketh]

Am replacing my Paradigms with some floorstanders from focal.  Should be here next week!

[ajzepp]

In my opinion removing your Denon and adding a tube preamp would change the sound of your system.  Probably to a less "harsh" characteristic.  Not sure why members would call changing an AV receiver for a 2 channel tube preamp a bandaid, I think thats how I read it?

+1

The concept of a preamp with HT Bypass changed my listening habits forever. I spend more time with movies, but the quality of music reproduction is more important to me. The first time I was told about the HT bypass thing, I was sold. I did a bunch of research, found an excellent, inexpensive tube preamp with the bypass feature, added a DAC, and all of a sudden I had a nice, clean 2-channel system that was integrated into but separate from my HT rig. I'm now on my second tube preamp, and I'll never be without one again.