Since you didn't ID your old stuff its hard to answer your question except in general terms, but you did say something which I'm not sure I have ever experienced in a properly operating system (not to throw water on your experience).
In a general sense, the most likely candidate for soundstage improvement is the source - you've got to get it out of the pits. So I would nominate the CDP. The pre-amp should be able to pass all of the infor on to the amp without commentary, which the Pass should easily be able to do.
However, your description of your sound seems either over the top, or you have something hooked up wrong.
In a properly set up system (including speakers) the only sounds you should hear outside of your speakers (on the same plane as your speakers) should be 'out of phase sounds'. While there is out of phase sound on many recordings it is not the type that should draw much attention unless the recording engineers wanted to create a special effect.
The in-phase sounds should appear to come between your speakers and a mono signal should be heard exactly mid point between your speakers. Only sounds recorded out of phase should appear to come from more vague places such as to the left or right of your speakers.
It sounds to me as if you may have your channels set up out of phase. The result of doing this will give the immediate impression of having a huge soundstage. This is easy to check - play a recording with a vocalist - you should get a very defined image of the voice in one specific place. Obviously, check your cable connections to insure that each set is properly connected to amp and speaker - that you have not accidentially reversed one set.
In a general sense, the most likely candidate for soundstage improvement is the source - you've got to get it out of the pits. So I would nominate the CDP. The pre-amp should be able to pass all of the infor on to the amp without commentary, which the Pass should easily be able to do.
However, your description of your sound seems either over the top, or you have something hooked up wrong.
In a properly set up system (including speakers) the only sounds you should hear outside of your speakers (on the same plane as your speakers) should be 'out of phase sounds'. While there is out of phase sound on many recordings it is not the type that should draw much attention unless the recording engineers wanted to create a special effect.
The in-phase sounds should appear to come between your speakers and a mono signal should be heard exactly mid point between your speakers. Only sounds recorded out of phase should appear to come from more vague places such as to the left or right of your speakers.
It sounds to me as if you may have your channels set up out of phase. The result of doing this will give the immediate impression of having a huge soundstage. This is easy to check - play a recording with a vocalist - you should get a very defined image of the voice in one specific place. Obviously, check your cable connections to insure that each set is properly connected to amp and speaker - that you have not accidentially reversed one set.