Just as an experiment I switched to different speaker cables. But somehow that feels like cheating.

Did this cheating solve the problem?
 
Did this cheating solve the problem?
Until the 200 hour break-in mark, I don't know if there actually is a problem.

As I wrote switching from the Genesis Advanced Technologies Absolute Fidelity to the Purist Audio Design Musaeus Praesto Revision Ferox tamped down the edginess/brightness a bit, I think.
 
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No; the speakers are positioned pretty well. I do not believe in repositioning speakers due to a change in amplifier, especially if I am comparing only amplifiers. See Marty's posts on this subject.
It is unfortunate that you believe this.
 
Just as an experiment I switched to different speaker cables. But somehow that feels like cheating.

Switching from the Genesis Advanced Technologies Absolute Fidelity to the Purist Audio Design Musaeus Praesto Revision Ferox tamped down the edginess/brightness a bit.
Why do you consider this cheating? It’s not like this is a college exam or doing your taxes. Speaker cables are arguably the most important linkage in a system…if they are negatively impacting the sound then why stick with them? There is no such thing as a cable without signature.
 
No; the speakers are positioned pretty well. I do not believe in repositioning speakers due to a change in amplifier, especially if I am comparing only amplifiers. See Marty's posts on this subject.
FWIW Dept.: If the amplifier has a high output impedance, where the speakers are in the room, how they are positioned, can affect it. Amplifiers with low output impedance don't have this reaction since they are better able to damp the load. But usually this is more of a bass thing than a problem in the highs.

FWIW if the amp is simply left on it will continue to break in even with no signal. What is happening is the filter capacitors are forming up to the operating Voltage rather than the Voltage rating they had when they left the factory. As this occurs they become more efficient at their job (bypassing noise) so the circuit can sound better. If the amp has no feedback this process is audibly more profound, but even with high feedback circuits (which have rejection of that which is not the signal) this process is still audible. If you want to measure it you measure the power supply rails as its easier to see what is happening there.

If your amps are zero feedback its really important to keep the speaker cables short! That is why monoblocks have a greater chance of success if they are zero feedback and also why its advantageous to accept a balance line since you can run longer interconnects.
 
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I've had the Italians sitting on Simms NAVCOM footers (those Sorbothane discs with aluminum edges from the 1980s). I switched to Butcher Block Acoustics stands with a sheet of silicone in between two slabs of walnut.

Is there any hypothesis to support the notion that the Sorbothane footers somehow could have been contributing to the edginess/brightness?
 
No. If anything that would help calm things down.
That's what I think. Thank you.

Replacing the Simms NAVCOMs with the Butcher Block Acoustics amp stands (which are beautifully made and very reasonably priced) did not appear to increase the edginess/brightness, however.

My best guess is that, as expected, the natural burn-in actually is helping over time. The process is a slightly frustrating "watched pot boiling" situation, because I don't have a lot of patience.
 
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That's what I think. Thank you.

Replacing the Simms NAVCOMs with the Butcher Block Acoustics amp stands (which are beautifully made and very reasonably priced) did not appear to increase the edginess/brightness, however.

My best guess is that, as expected, the natural burn-in actually is helping over time. The process is a slightly frustrating "watched pot boiling" situation, because I don't have a lot of patience.
What kind of tubes does this amp use?
 
I wouldn’t be surprised if the driver tubes are just as or even more influential than the cables. I think it’s a fairly common experience that we can change and sculpt the balance and overall performance a lot with the choice especially of nos 6SN7s.
 
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If after 200+ hours of break-in the edginess / brightness remains you should seriously consider upgrading, at least, the 6SN7s. There are far better examples of that variant available.
 
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Just as an experiment I switched to different speaker cables. But somehow that feels like cheating.

Switching from the Genesis Advanced Technologies Absolute Fidelity to the Purist Audio Design Musaeus Praesto Revision Ferox tamped down the edginess/brightness a bit.
I thought you are using Cardas Clear Beyond speaker cables.
 

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