Hey all, could use some guidance here because I’m going a bit in circles.
Current setup:
- Turntable: Fluance RT81+
- Speakers: Klipsch The Nines (running line input)
- Stylus: upgraded (Audio-Technica VM95ML)
- Tested phono preamps: Schiit Mani 2 (returned), Cambridge Alva Solo (currently using)
- Also just ordered an iFi Zen Phono 3 to compare
Here’s the issue:
Whenever I run an external phono preamp into the Nines, I start getting really fatiguing highs. Not just “bright,” but borderline harsh to the point where my ears feel irritated after ~10–30 minutes, even at moderate volumes.
What’s confusing is:
- Bluetooth / digital sources on the Nines sound totally fine — no fatigue
- Running the turntable through the built-in phono stage (on either the Fluance or the Nines) actually sounds smoother and easier to listen to
- The Mani 2 was the worst offender (super harsh) even when tweaking the capacitance, the Alva Solo is cleaner but I still feel some fatigue
- Also lowered the treble -2 in the Klipsch app
At this point I’m trying to figure out:
- Are the Nines just not a great match with more revealing phono preamps?
- Could this be a gain staging issue between the preamp and powered speakers?
- Or is this just a case of Klipsch + detailed stylus + external preamp = too much top end?
I mostly listen while moving around (not critical listening), so I actually prefer a slightly smoother/warmer presentation over max detail.
Plan right now is to A/B the Alva Solo vs the iFi Zen Phono 3 when it arrives and decide if I even keep an external preamp at all.
Would really appreciate any thoughts — especially if anyone has experience with the Nines + external phono stages or dealing with listening fatigue like this.