Upgrading from CXA81 and B&w 606

[Surfingdave]

Apologies if this type of question has been asked to death.

I’ve had a cxa81 amp with b&w606 speakers for a few years ago now and find the setup too bright. It does sound exciting and entailed, but just fatiguing. I understand both are considered bright, so in hindsight not a good pairing for me.

Question : should I start again with a new amp and speakers combo? Or keep the amp and upgrade the speakers? If I do that will I likely still be subject to the bright amp sound?

My local store suggested I cold warm it up with Wharfedale Lintons , which they have on sale. And other suggestions if I was to keep the amp?

An argument to replace the amp is the lack of phono input.

If I was to replace the lot , and suggested combos that I should focus on for demoing? Would be looking for an upgrade in above. I’ve been out of the loop for some time.
Cheers

 

[Integralista]

Hi, thanks for joining this forum. I think CXA 81 is pretty good and musical amp. For sure not with harsh or bright sound. With Rega Elex-R, whey were class leaders in their best time. I' m not a big fan of B&W mainly 600 line. 800 is pretty good, but price is stratospheric. Your idea to combine speakers like Wharfedale Linton with CXA 81 is very good. This is matching combination. And you can still keep the amp. BR.

 

[Surfingdave]

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps my issue is indeed more with the speakers.
I’ll go test the wharfdales then.
On the lack of phono input, I guess I could get a preamp.
Cheers

 

[Integralista]

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps my issue is indeed more with the speakers.
I’ll go test the wharfdales then.
On the lack of phono input, I guess I could get a preamp.
Cheers

Which turntable and cartridge do you use?

 

[Surfingdave]

I’m also the market for a new turntable.

In the meantime an old Vestax pdx v3.

Which turntable and cartridge do you use?