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?

 

[abacus]

B & W speakers are renowned for being bright (Just look at the measurements and the treble driver is way above the rest of the speaker), but people like them because have a nice zing to them, unfortunately this can become tiring over time, hence the reason people look to change.
A dealer is your best bet (Take the amp with you if you can) as you can try out a selection of speakers to see what suits.
A good rule of thumb is, if you listen to the speakers intently (They just sound fantastic) then they are probably not for you, whereas with a good combination you will just sink back into the sofa and just hear the music. (Nothing should stand out above anything else)

Bill

 

[Surfingdave]

Thank you. Going in today. Will look at the super Denton. I didn’t realise the Lintons were so large.

 

[nopiano]

Thank you. Going in today. Will look at the super Denton. I didn’t realise the Lintons were so large.

Yes, they’re a vintage style with wide baffles, similar to what was more popular in the 1970s - 80s. Narrower speakers tend rule today because they look less obtrusive. But Linton definitely have the tonality you seek.

Whether you like the Super Denton or now, try to hear some Q Acoustic 3000 series, maybe the 3030i. They’re nice and smooth too. The newer QA 5000 are brighter, so won’t solve your problem!