Metal-head needs help! (Please!)

[admin_exported]

Hi guys,

Right, I need help upgrading my system as I feel it isn't really on the button. I listen to a diet of 90% Heavy Metal: Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Turisas, Rush, Voivod, The Vision Bleak, Megadeth, Lacuna Coil; stuff like that. The other 10% is represented by music such as, Boards of Canada, Casino Versus Japan, Stars Of The Lid, Jean Michelle Jarre etc. I also induldge in the odd symphony when the mood takes me, too.

My system currently consists of the following:

CD: Arcam CD72

Amp: Roksan Kandy Mk II

CDR: Pioneer PDR-609

Turntable: Pro-ject RPM4

Headphones: Sennheiser HD650

Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 8.1

Cass: Yamaha KX-393

Stands/Rack: Atacama

Cables: CD to Amp QED Silver Spiral interconnect (plus other QED cables for the other units); QED Silver Anniversary speaker cable (not bi-wired)

I feel that the CD player and the speakers are lacking, mainly. There seems to be a lack of punch and at times the speakers seem to struggle with all the information; there's a lot going on in Opeth and Dimmu Borgir records! Sometimes it can get a little fatiguing, too, sounding quite bright, although I'm sure that some of the time it is the recording of some of my older CDs, not my system. I've had the CD72 since new 2000/2001, but the speakers I inherited (long term loan?) from my mother after my 20 year old Pioneers finally gave up the ghost a couple of years ago. The amp I love and I have no wish to part with it (as I do with the rest of my kit).

I was thinking of the new Roksan Kandy CD player and perhaps some DynaudioDM2/6 speakers, or maybe some floorstanders? Obviously I'm open to suggestions, hence the post, so could someone please point me in the direction of a new CD player and speakers that would suite my musical tastes better; maybe the interconnect and speaker cables need changing also? My room is a knock-through lounge/diner (with an archway) that is roughly 3.5m wide by 6m long. We have a corner sofa that is situated just after the lounge door, along the right-hand wall, that then extends into the middle of the room (L shaped). The speakers cannot stand any further than 10-12 iches from the wall.

Err, I think that's it... Over to you guys!

Many thanks in advance.

Simon

 

[Anonymous]

Rush Man:

Hi guys,

Right, I need help upgrading my system as I feel it isn't really on the button. I listen to a diet of 90% Heavy Metal: Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Turisas, Rush, Voivod, The Vision Bleak, Megadeth, Lacuna Coil; stuff like that. The other 10% is represented by music such as, Boards of Canada, Casino Versus Japan, Stars Of The Lid, Jean Michelle Jarre etc. I also induldge in the odd symphony when the mood takes me, too.

My system currently consists of the following:

CD: Arcam CD72

Amp: Roksan Kandy Mk II

CDR: Pioneer PDR-609

Turntable: Pro-ject RPM4

Headphones: Sennheiser HD650

Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 8.1

Cass: Yamaha KX-393

Stands/Rack: Atacama

Cables: CD to Amp QED Silver Spiral interconnect (plus other QED cables for the other units); QED Silver Anniversary speaker cable (not bi-wired)

I feel that the CD player and the speakers are lacking, mainly. There seems to be a lack of punch and at times the speakers seem to struggle with all the information; there's a lot going on in Opeth and Dimmu Borgir records! Sometimes it can get a little fatiguing, too, sounding quite bright, although I'm sure that some of the time it is the recording of some of my older CDs, not my system. I've had the CD72 since new 2000/2001, but the speakers I inherited (long term loan?) from my mother after my 20 year old Pioneers finally gave up the ghost a couple of years ago. The amp I love and I have no wish to part with it (as I do with the rest of my kit).

I was thinking of the new Roksan Kandy CD player and perhaps some DynaudioDM2/6 speakers, or maybe some floorstanders? Obviously I'm open to suggestions, hence the post, so could someone please point me in the direction of a new CD player and speakers that would suite my musical tastes better; maybe the interconnect and speaker cables need changing also? My room is a knock-through lounge/diner (with an archway) that is roughly 3.5m wide by 6m long. We have a corner sofa that is situated just after the lounge door, along the right-hand wall, that then extends into the middle of the room (L shaped). The speakers cannot stand any further than 10-12 iches from the wall.

Err, I think that's it... Over to you guys!

Many thanks in advance.

Simon

I think you need the forum member Big Chris for this one......you will need speakers with excellent timing

 

[Anonymous]

i cant comment on the rest of your kit but if you are looking to upgrade from the cd72 (which i am familiar with) then i would look at a used Arcam DV135. this is a stunning universal disc player as well as a brilliant dvd player. it also represents excellent value for money when buying used as the players dvd replay technology is now a few years old and this means the unit has a poor resale value.
I managed to pick up an ex-demo model for £230, not bad considering they where £900 new in 07. it really is a stunning disc spinner and great for metal (im an opeth fan too!)

 

[Anonymous]

Hi and welcome. Oviously being a Rush fan you're in the upper echelons of intelligentia like me! You might like my avatar he he.

I think you might like Cyrus CD8SE, not just because I have one but I think it will give you the punch rather than warmth you currently have. That new Audiolab award winner might be worth a spin?

It might be worth changing just one thing which will do the trick and that, to me, might be the speakers to some of the new Monitor Audios or ATC (sealed units, less space at the rear required). That all depends on your budget, which is key, of course. What budget do you have? Don't worry about interconnects and cabling for now.

Whatever you do try and get a demo or listen at home if possible.

Here's to Rush UK dates in 2011 I hope they announce very soon....

 

[John Duncan]

Moving Pictures is the first thing I put on any stereo, and I can recommend Rega, Naim, Cambridge Audio and Primare...

 

[chebby]

You need some better speakers for sure.

The only 'metal-head' I know loves his ATC SCM11s with Primare i30 amp.

They sound 'clean' and posess no 'overhang' or muddle from ported/reflex bass because they are sealed cabinets. (The big Focal JM floorstanders he had previously were disastrous and had a whole bass scene going on that wasn't even on the recording!)

So yeah, sealed enclosure speakers like ATM SCM11s (or EB Acoustics EB2s) will be best. There aren't many more sealed cabinet designs that aren't (a) very expensive (b) tiddlers suited to smaller spaces.

Or something like Rega RS5s that - although ported - have side firing bass drivers that can fire inwards or outwards to suit your room and that are happy close to walls and don't suffer much from reflex port woes. (My similarly ported old Rega R3s had very clean bass.)

 

[Anonymous]

I had a similar problem with my old system when using QED silver anniversary. I would swap it for something without silver and see the difference it makes before doing any other upgrades.

 

[Anonymous]

ifitsoundsgoodlistentoit:i cant comment on the rest of your kit but if you are looking to upgrade from the cd72 (which i am familiar with) then i would look at a used Arcam DV135. this is a stunning universal disc player as well as a brilliant dvd player. it also represents excellent value for money when buying used as the players dvd replay technology is now a few years old and this means the unit has a poor resale value.
I managed to pick up an ex-demo model for £230, not bad considering they where £900 new in 07. it really is a stunning disc spinner and great for metal (im an opeth fan too!)

Hello. Nice to see another Opeth fan on here! Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

Graham_Thomas:Hi and welcome. Oviously being a Rush fan you're in the upper echelons of intelligentia like me! You might like my avatar he he.

I think you might like Cyrus CD8SE, not just because I have one but I think it will give you the punch rather than warmth you currently have. That new Audiolab award winner might be worth a spin?

It might be worth changing just one thing which will do the trick and that, to me, might be the speakers to some of the new Monitor Audios or ATC (sealed units, less s[ace at the rear required). That all depends on your budget, which is key, of course. What budget do you have? Don't worry about interconnects and cabling for now.

Whatever you do try and get a demo or listen at home if possible.

Here's to Rush UK dates in 2011 I hope they announce very soon....

Hi Graham. Rush are the best, dude! You're not on TNMS are you?

I must say I did think about the Cyrus... It could be an CD8SE and ATC demo, then!!

Yes, hopefully Rush will announce soon. Can't blooming wait!!

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
You need some better speakers for sure.

The only 'metal-head' I know loves his ATC SCM11s with Primare i30 amp.

They sound 'clean' and posess no 'overhang' or muddle from ported/reflex bass because they are sealed cabinets. (The big Focal JM floorstanders he had previously were disastrous and had a whole bass scene going on that wasn't even on the recording!)

So yeah, sealed enclosure speakers like ATM SCM11s (or EB Acoustics EB2s) will be best. There aren't many more sealed cabinet designs that aren't (a) very expensive (b) tiddlers suited to smaller spaces.

Or something like Rega RS5s that - although ported - have side firing bass drivers that can fire inwards or outwards to suit your room and that are happy close to walls and don't suffer much from reflex port woes. (My similarly ported old Rega R3s had very clean bass.)

Thanks Chebby... The ATCs seem a popular choice. It seems they demand an audition.

 

[Anonymous]

I knew there was something I'd forgotten - budget! I'm up for spending between £1000-£2000, but not neccessarily in one go (off to Florida for the Daytona 500 again next year).

Keep the advice coming. Every little helps...

 

[Anonymous]

Rush Man:Hi Graham. Rush are the best, dude! You're not on TNMS are you?

Used to be my friend until I got myself dragged into an argument I really shouldn't have about ticket sales in 2007 and thought it best to sever all ties in protest. I get my info from Rushisaband instead......

 

[Anonymous]

Rush Man:
Hi guys,

Right, I need help upgrading my system as I feel it isn't really on the button. I listen to a diet of 90% Heavy Metal: Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Turisas, Rush, Voivod, The Vision Bleak, Megadeth, Lacuna Coil; stuff like that. The other 10% is represented by music such as, Boards of Canada, Casino Versus Japan, Stars Of The Lid, Jean Michelle Jarre etc. I also induldge in the odd symphony when the mood takes me, too.

My system currently consists of the following:

CD: Arcam CD72

Amp: Roksan Kandy Mk II

CDR: Pioneer PDR-609

Turntable: Pro-ject RPM4

Headphones: Sennheiser HD650

Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 8.1

Cass: Yamaha KX-393

Stands/Rack: Atacama

Cables: CD to Amp QED Silver Spiral interconnect (plus other QED cables for the other units); QED Silver Anniversary speaker cable (not bi-wired)

ÿ

I feel that the CD player and the speakers are lacking, mainly. There seems to be a lack of punch and at times the speakers seem to struggle with all the information; there's a lot going on in Opeth and Dimmu Borgir records! Sometimes it can get a little fatiguing, too, sounding quite bright, although I'm sure that some of the time it is the recording of some of my older CDs, not my system. I've had the CD72 since new 2000/2001, but the speakers I inherited (long term loan?) from my mother after my 20 year old Pioneers finally gave up the ghost a couple of years ago. The amp I love and I have no wish to part with it (as I do with the rest of my kit).

I was thinking of the new Roksan Kandy CD player and perhaps some DynaudioDM2/6 speakers, or maybe some floorstanders? Obviously I'm open to suggestions, hence the post, so could someone please point me in the direction of a new CD player and speakers that would suite my musical tastes better; maybe the interconnect and speaker cables need changing also? My room is a knock-through lounge/diner (with an archway) that is roughly 3.5m wide by 6m long. We have a corner sofa that is situated just after the lounge door, along the right-hand wall, that then extends into the middle of the room (L shaped). The speakers cannot stand any further than 10-12 iches from the wall.

Err, I think that's it... Over to you guys!

Many thanks in advance.

Simon

ÿ

ÿ

I too listen to mainly metal , the vast majority being Black/Death Metal and one pair of speakers are a pair of secondhand KEF Q35 Speakers really fast tight bass and shimmering trebel, i have mine in a small room really close to the back wall as they are front ported, you can pick an imaculate pair up on ebay for between £100-£120 i used to have castle harlech but had to replace them with the KEF'S due to a change of listening room and they are just fantastic speakers.

CD player i would put with that is the Naim CD5i (Mk II) , well thats just my humble opinion ;-))

 

[Anonymous]

Rush Man:
Hi guys,

Right, I need help upgrading my system as I feel it isn't really on the button. I listen to a diet of 90% Heavy Metal: Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Turisas, Rush, Voivod, The Vision Bleak, Megadeth, Lacuna Coil; stuff like that. The other 10% is represented by music such as, Boards of Canada, Casino Versus Japan, Stars Of The Lid, Jean Michelle Jarre etc. I also induldge in the odd symphony when the mood takes me, too.

My system currently consists of the following:

CD: Arcam CD72

Amp: Roksan Kandy Mk II

CDR: Pioneer PDR-609

Turntable: Pro-ject RPM4

Headphones: Sennheiser HD650

Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 8.1

Cass: Yamaha KX-393

Stands/Rack: Atacama

Cables: CD to Amp QED Silver Spiral interconnect (plus other QED cables for the other units); QED Silver Anniversary speaker cable (not bi-wired)

ÿ

I feel that the CD player and the speakers are lacking, mainly. There seems to be a lack of punch and at times the speakers seem to struggle with all the information; there's a lot going on in Opeth and Dimmu Borgir records! Sometimes it can get a little fatiguing, too, sounding quite bright, although I'm sure that some of the time it is the recording of some of my older CDs, not my system. I've had the CD72 since new 2000/2001, but the speakers I inherited (long term loan?) from my mother after my 20 year old Pioneers finally gave up the ghost a couple of years ago. The amp I love and I have no wish to part with it (as I do with the rest of my kit).

I was thinking of the new Roksan Kandy CD player and perhaps some DynaudioDM2/6 speakers, or maybe some floorstanders? Obviously I'm open to suggestions, hence the post, so could someone please point me in the direction of a new CD player and speakers that would suite my musical tastes better; maybe the interconnect and speaker cables need changing also? My room is a knock-through lounge/diner (with an archway) that is roughly 3.5m wide by 6m long. We have a corner sofa that is situated just after the lounge door, along the right-hand wall, that then extends into the middle of the room (L shaped). The speakers cannot stand any further than 10-12 iches from the wall.

Err, I think that's it... Over to you guys!

Many thanks in advance.

Simon

ÿ

ÿ

I too listen to mainly metal , the vast majority being Black/Death Metal and one pair of speakers are a pair of secondhand KEF Q35 Speakers really fast tight bass and shimmering trebel, i have mine in a small room really close to the back wall as they are front ported, you can pick an imaculate pair up on ebay for between £100-£120 i used to have castle harlech but had to replace them with the KEF'S due to a change of listening room and they are just fantastic speakers.

CD player i would put with that is the Naim CD5i (Mk II) , well thats just my humble opinion ;-))

 

[Anonymous]

Graham_Thomas:Rush Man:Hi Graham. Rush are the best, dude! You're not on TNMS are you? Used to be my friend until I got myself dragged into an argument I really shouldn't have about ticket sales in 2007 and thought it best to sever all ties in protest. I get my info from Rushisaband instead......

Thought it was you. You may remember me as Prince By-Tor on TNMS? I still frequent but nowhere near like I used to. I remember the arguement very well, not that it was just you that had an issue! Still unresolved with some members as far as I know... Disgusting if true!

Anyway, back to Hi-Fi. I've just been reading about the SCM11s in this months issue and they say (as did you) that they are closed cabinets, so obviously bass isn't massive. I'm not a huge bass-head, but some stuff I listen to does rely on a decent deep bass sound, Aphex Twin for one. I was just wondering (and yes I know auditioning is the only way to know for sure), if the ATCs would really suit me because of this? If you follow me? I'm guessing that QED Silver Anniversary speaker cable won't be ideal for such speakers either as they are quite revealing, so a mix of less bass and a revealing cable doesn't sound ideal to me. I could be wrong though...

My trouble is that I don't like wasting peoples time. I like to audition products, sure, it's fun, but I hate it if I try quite a few pieces of kit to then not choose anything to buy. Hence all the questions. Folk that like bands like Rush, Opeth, Porcupine Tree and Megadeth etc etc have a very similar ear in my opinion, so I trust what people like you say. Of course there's always a person who likes (for example) a really bright sound even if the music doesn't really warrant it, but generally I find we all have a similar ear. Hope I'm not rambling too much?

How does the Cyrus CD8SE sound? To your ear of course!

 

[Anonymous]

Blackmetal:Rush Man:

Hi guys,

Right, I need help upgrading my system as I feel it isn't really on the button. I listen to a diet of 90% Heavy Metal: Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Turisas, Rush, Voivod, The Vision Bleak, Megadeth, Lacuna Coil; stuff like that. The other 10% is represented by music such as, Boards of Canada, Casino Versus Japan, Stars Of The Lid, Jean Michelle Jarre etc. I also induldge in the odd symphony when the mood takes me, too.

My system currently consists of the following:

CD: Arcam CD72

Amp: Roksan Kandy Mk II

CDR: Pioneer PDR-609

Turntable: Pro-ject RPM4

Headphones: Sennheiser HD650

Speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 8.1

Cass: Yamaha KX-393

Stands/Rack: Atacama

Cables: CD to Amp QED Silver Spiral interconnect (plus other QED cables for the other units); QED Silver Anniversary speaker cable (not bi-wired)

I feel that the CD player and the speakers are lacking, mainly. There seems to be a lack of punch and at times the speakers seem to struggle with all the information; there's a lot going on in Opeth and Dimmu Borgir records! Sometimes it can get a little fatiguing, too, sounding quite bright, although I'm sure that some of the time it is the recording of some of my older CDs, not my system. I've had the CD72 since new 2000/2001, but the speakers I inherited (long term loan?) from my mother after my 20 year old Pioneers finally gave up the ghost a couple of years ago. The amp I love and I have no wish to part with it (as I do with the rest of my kit).

I was thinking of the new Roksan Kandy CD player and perhaps some DynaudioDM2/6 speakers, or maybe some floorstanders? Obviously I'm open to suggestions, hence the post, so could someone please point me in the direction of a new CD player and speakers that would suite my musical tastes better; maybe the interconnect and speaker cables need changing also? My room is a knock-through lounge/diner (with an archway) that is roughly 3.5m wide by 6m long. We have a corner sofa that is situated just after the lounge door, along the right-hand wall, that then extends into the middle of the room (L shaped). The speakers cannot stand any further than 10-12 iches from the wall.

Err, I think that's it... Over to you guys!

Many thanks in advance.

Simon

I too listen to mainly metal , the vast majority being Black/Death Metal and one pair of speakers are a pair of secondhand KEF Q35 Speakers really fast tight bass and shimmering trebel, i have mine in a small room really close to the back wall as they are front ported, you can pick an imaculate pair up on ebay for between £100-£120 i used to have castle harlech but had to replace them with the KEF'S due to a change of listening room and they are just fantastic speakers.

CD player i would put with that is the Naim CD5i (Mk II) , well thats just my humble opinion ;-))

Hello Blackmetal.

You sound like my kinda guy, in a purely hetrosexual sense I mean, i.e. your musical taste!

Death and Black Metal is my favourite music, I live for it if I'm honest. I didn't write too many of the bands I like in my initial question as I wasn't sure if many people on here would know who they were.

I love Opeth, Immortal, Dimmu Borgir, Burzum, Alcest, Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, Akercocke, Bloodbath, Bathory, Emperor, Katatonia, Negura Bunget, Paradise Lost, Zyklon etc etc etc, an almost endless list!! Real music in my honest opinion.

Thanks for the nod on the KEF speakers. I wouldn't have thought that they were a Metal speaker, but never say never I guess. I'd also thought of Naim myself. A friend of mine uses Naim gear and he suggested the same player.

The plot thickens, huh?

 

[Singslinger]

Hello there - glad to find Rush fans on this forum, I have all their albums! First heard them in 1975 (Fly By Night) and haven't looked back since. Fantastic band, amazing that they're still touring! I also have everything by Opeth, some Lacuna Coil and Megadeth too...

As for your hifi issue, I think you're on the right track with your thoughts about a CD/speaker upgrade. If your budget is 2000 quid, then a 50-50 split is the way to go. CD players I would consider would be either the Roksan or perhaps something from Naim or Exposure, both brands being well-known for their pace, rhythm & timing (Or PRaT for short).

As for speakers, Dynaudios would be my first port of call, possibly something from the Focus range (the 140 would cost about 1,000 pound).

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Thaiman]

I am not sure what is the budget? Anyway, my recomendation for heavy rock system (2nd hand buy) is, Exposure 2010 cd player, Krell Kav 300i and Dynaudio contour 1.3 speakers and you will be sorted.

 

[Anonymous]

Singslinger:

Hello there - glad to find Rush fans on this forum, I have all their albums! First heard them in 1975 (Fly By Night) and haven't looked back since. Fantastic band, amazing that they're still touring! I also have everything by Opeth, some Lacuna Coil and Megadeth too...

Always a pleasure talking to a fellow Rush fan. Nice to see you like some of the other bands I like, too!

As for your hifi issue, I think you're on the right track with your thoughts about a CD/speaker upgrade. If your budget is 2000 quid, then a 50-50 split is the way to go. CD players I would consider would be either the Roksan or perhaps something from Naim or Exposure, both brands being well-known for their pace, rhythm & timing (Or PRaT for short).

PRaT - love it!! I wonder if there's a hi-fi definition for Lerxst?

As for speakers, Dynaudios would be my first port of call, possibly something from the Focus range (the 140 would cost about 1,000 pound).

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated!

 

[Anonymous]

Thaiman:I am not sure what is the budget? Anyway, my recomendation for heavy rock system (2nd hand buy) is, Exposure 2010 cd player, Krell Kav 300i and Dynaudio contour 1.3 speakers and you will be sorted.

Hello, mate. I'm willing to spend £1000-2000 if neccessary, but I'm not against going down the second-hand route. What say you on cables to partner the system you advise?

Thanks.

 

[Thaiman]

With a risk of getting boo here! I wouldn't worry too much about cables just yet. I would just Buy any well build copper-base interconnects and speakers cables for now. later, when the fund allow you could spend some on fancy wires.

The system I was suggested cost within that budget, I reckon the Exposure 2010s value about £240, Krell kav 300i still fetch £800 - £1200 (new it was nearly £3K btw) and Dynaudio could be pick up for around £600. Other to think about would be like musical fidelity A3 pre/power amp (they really can rock), Exposre 2010 amp (not the later "s" model, nothing wrong with it but the early one was more raw and punchy). I have to admit that I haven't listen to hifi gears as many as I was few years ago, well at that range any way hence the recomendation are quite an oldies. There might be some newer kits at similar price that can match the preformance now a day (although I still reckon Krell 300i is hard to beat for the current 2nd hand price if you like heavy metal)

 

[Anonymous]

Thaiman:

With a risk of getting boo here! I wouldn't worry too much about cables just yet. I would just Buy any well build copper-base interconnects and speakers cables for now. later, when the fund allow you could spend some on fancy wires.

The system I was suggested cost within that budget, I reckon the Exposure 2010s value about £240, Krell kav 300i still fetch £800 - £1200 (new it was nearly £3K btw) and Dynaudio could be pick up for around £600. Other to think about would be like musical fidelity A3 pre/power amp (they really can rock), Exposre 2010 amp (not the later "s" model, nothing wrong with it but the early one was more raw and punchy). I have to admit that I haven't listen to hifi gears as many as I was few years ago, well at that range any way hence the recomendation are quite an oldies. There might be some newer kits at similar price that can match the preformance now a day (although I still reckon Krell 300i is hard to beat for the current 2nd hand price if you like heavy metal)

Many thanks for all the recommendations and tips: Musical Fidelity was another manufacturer I did wonder about. Much to ponder on over the weekend methinks! Cheers!!

 

[Anonymous]

my opinion here is going to be slightly biased but for your tastes and along the second hand lines you may want to consider the bryston integrated amp i think its the b60,bryston gear is great for rock,great drive,great timing,great bass,neutral,and regarding the cables thaiman is right,get some good copper cables,check e bay,kimber speaker cable 4tc perhaps,try to avoid silver in your cables,it tends to add the bright/harsh character that you mentioned you currently have - you should try listening to deep purple in rock with silver cables - thats enough to make your ears bleed.

 

[the record spot]

Big Rush fan here (have you seen "Beyond The Lighted Stage" yet?). Have a look at a livelier amp first. I think if you can get the bottom end shifting with some good clarity (which the Roksan ought to deliver) then it's a case of how well it partners the Arcam. I'd be inclined to change things one step at a time. Amp, then speakers, then source. Cables if you must thereafter. Changing the cable now won't resolve your fundamental issues I think, hence leave that to last IMO.

 

[Big Chris]

I concur with the speaker change. Having used a CD72 for 6/7 years before trading up, I can state it's not responsible for the bright sound you're experiencing. I'd demo some B&W CM7s, see if that helps. You could also add a subwoofer as this will add plenty of weight to your sound. A pair of CM7s and an ASW610 would transform your sound.

The amp is probably not helping, but seeing as it's already a good step up from your speakers, I'd leave the amp for the present.