i'm confused why B&W 685 sounds a lot better than MA GS20

[fuksxyz]

Sounds to me like you've discovered the truism that price doesn't always equal performance. I'm not saying the MA's are bad, only that they are bad (at their price point) to you...and since your opinion is all that matters...well, you get the point.

If you are adamant on keeping the MA's but want to tame them, try installing Musical Fidelity's Tube Buffer into the chain and see if that helps. The buffer will roll the highs off a touch and introduce some harmonics that you may find pleasing. It's certainly cheaper than replacing speakers...speakers that you liked enough (7 months ago) to purchase.

Hope this helps.

I've finally installed the Musical Fidelity Tube Buffer, and it really helps roll off the highs a little bit, but now the sound is a little bit nicer than before but I'm still not sure, do I have to break in the Tube Buffer for some hours ( maybe 15 or 20 hours? ) then it will roll off the highs more? Coz right now I've only played it for 2 hours....
but anyway thanks TOPSEED for the info

[Ajani]

I've finally installed the Musical Fidelity Tube Buffer, and it really helps roll off the highs a little bit, but now the sound is a little bit nicer than before but I'm still not sure, do I have to break in the Tube Buffer for some hours ( maybe 15 or 20 hours? ) then it will roll off the highs more? Coz right now I've only played it for 2 hours....
but anyway thanks TOPSEED for the info

I would let it break in some more (even if it doesn't improve the sound, it certainly can't hurt it).....

Do you find that the Tube Buffer also improves the sound of the B&Ws?

Anyway, your comparison of the B&Ws with the MAs leaves me feeling the need to reconsider my stance on B&W speakers.... as I found they were much brighter than MA.... but since I have never been able to do a side by side comparison on the same equipment, it may just be the Rotel and Yamaha gear were really pushing the B&W over the top, while the Musical Fidelity and YBA gear were really ideal for the MA.....

[fuksxyz]

I would let it break in some more (even if it doesn't improve the sound, it certainly can't hurt it).....

Do you find that the Tube Buffer also improves the sound of the B&Ws?

Anyway, your comparison of the B&Ws with the MAs leaves me feeling the need to reconsider my stance on B&W speakers.... as I found they were much brighter than MA.... but since I have never been able to do a side by side comparison on the same equipment, it may just be the Rotel and Yamaha gear were really pushing the B&W over the top, while the Musical Fidelity and YBA gear were really ideal for the MA.....

The sound of BW 685 is worse ( for me ) when using the Tube Buffer, I can say worse becuase the high frequency is cut off too much. So I don't think the Tube Buffer improve the sound of BW 685. Meanwhile the Tube Buffer helps the MA by cutting off the high a little bit, although I can still hear that the MA sound is still a little bit bright, but I can accept it now.
BTW, what is YBA?

[Ajani]

The sound of BW 685 is worse ( for me ) when using the Tube Buffer, I can say worse becuase the high frequency is cut off too much. So I don't think the Tube Buffer improve the sound of BW 685. Meanwhile the Tube Buffer helps the MA by cutting off the high a little bit, although I can still hear that the MA sound is still a little bit bright, but I can accept it now.
BTW, what is YBA?

YBA is a french brand:

http://www.yba.fr/uk/YBA_present.php

I've heard the MA's combined with the Audio Refinement Complete Integrated Amp & CD Player (Audio Refinement is made by YBA)....

But the best setup I heard was definitely the Musical Fidelity X-T100 Integrated, X-Ray V8 CD & Monitor Audio GS20...... It was in a small room, just 11' by 11', but it did everything right and was definitely not bright... I didn't notice any special room treatments... just a carpet and a leather sofa....

Since you find that the MF Tube Buffer helps tame the MAs but hurts the B&Ws, then your issue is quite possibly just system synergy after-all....

If you eventually want to change your amp and cd player.... you can try some of MF's other tubed Gear... The X-T100, A1008 & KW550 Integrateds are all Tubed... while the X-Dac V8, A5.5, A1008 & KW Dacs/CD players are also tubed....