Seeking advice on how to improve my system


After many years of just enjoying music, I have gotten the bug to improve the system after I upgraded my CDP to the Sony XA 5400ES. The rest of the system is a Conrad Johnson Premier 14 preamp, Mark Levinson ML 331 100 W/ch amp., Thiel 3.6 speakers, Kimber Kable Siver Streak from CDP to preamp, Kimber PBJ from preamp to amp (10 foot run), and Kimber 8TC speaker cables. Room is 14 ft by 19 ft with 9.5 ft ceilings, hardwood floor with a 12 by 9 wool area rug. A fabric upholstered sofa on one wall helps absorb the side wall reflections. Speakers are on the short wall, 3 ft from the side and 2.5 feet from the back wall.

What are the weak points in the system that I should attend to? If I should change an item or add an item what should it be? I am not ready for a complete system replacement right now. Looking for advice from those with more experience in systems to get the best possible sound.
st01
I would recommend working on your AC power. Once I got all my components and cables tweaked, I added balanced transformers and it made a great improvement to the system.
I also recommend dedicated AC outlets. One for your CDP and one for your amp. These will be worth while up-grades that will enhance any new component in the future.
Have fun.
Your system is fine as it is IF you like the sound it is presently making. If you are unhappy about the sound, what is causing it? Personally I think I would find the wires and CDP contribute to some excessive brightness but that is just a WAG.

One thing you might consider (if you haven't already) is set up your listening chair so it forms an equilateral triangle, or close to one. In a small(er) room you can get the speakers closer to the side walls by toeing them in so that the axis' of the speakers cross well in front of your chair. This will allow a wider soundstage and allow you to sit further from the speakers (Thiels really sound best at least 10 ft from the ears (my Thiels/my ears) because of the design of the drivers. The toe in will minimize side wall reflections, a must with Thiels also.

Next, assuming you did the above, bring you speakers out in the room a bit more, maintaining the triangle. This should improve your depth of image considerably. Mine were set at about 5' from the wall behind them 2.5' from the side walls, and the chair (ears) was 10 ft from the plane of the speakers.

I used this set up with Thiels 3.5's/ARC SP10II/Threshold SA3/BAT CDP/ and a Oracle TT w/Grace Cartridge. My room is 19.5x13.5x9.

Worth a try if you can do it. Just takes a few hours to see if your going in the right direction. If you are you can fine tune it further as time allows. Don't minimize the effect of the listening chair. A few inches can make a significant difference.

Hope you don't have those dreaded aesthetic problems.:-)
You have to determine what sonic characteristics you want to change. Then we can give you some advice as what to change. Do you want more dynamics, resolution, soundstaging, deeper bass etc, etc