Thanks for all the comments on Adantes and suggestions for my system.
Followed @djohnson54’s advice for using the Brooklyn as a preamp, and performed several other swaps with second system components separately. Observations and conclusions:
1. The room is the biggest problem, especially reflections off tv. (It’s a home theater, as well as a stereo setup.) Room treatment is in the works.
2. Brooklyn sounds more dynamic than SLP-05, but not as refined in highs and mids.
3. Purchased a Pass Labs XP-10 to compare to the Cary. Will keep the better sounding unit. Need about 1 week to really compare.
4. When done with all of this, will audition Adantes, just for the heck of it.
really nice discussion. Thanks.
ps: will probably upgrade dac also.