what is my system's weakest link?

I've been watching this thread
and almost responded a couple times. I see much good advice without general consensus.

You like your speakers, so I would keep them. Many posters have indicated that power may be limiting to get the most out of them. This is true for Thiels. How true it is for you depends on room size and listening level.

You have a good entry level turntable. However I would consider it to be the weakest link. The signal never improves beyond the source. Generally entry level turntables are sold with a decent cartridge. However, the cartridge is one component that can be upgraded for a significant return on investment. With a vinyl system it is important to match the characteristics of the transducers, cartridge and speakers, to tune a system toward desired tonal balance. A cartridge upgrade may give you what you are looking for. A cartridge with a touch of warmth, not tipped up on the high end, with strong bass, and cohesive midrange might be in order.

I have not listened to cartridges lately so can't make specific recommendations. Sorry. Maybe others will chime in.

Amp power ratings help determine how loud and clear things can go in various size rooms, but there is more to what the right power amp brings to the table sound quality-wise.

Current delivery (peak amps) is a better indicator of how well an amp will drive more difficult load speakers like Thiel even at low volumes. Driving better at low volumes generally means better tonality, detail, articulation and most other things associated with good sound, a more natural and "effortless" delivery top to bottom. A 40 watt power amp with high current delivery will sound different and likely much better, all other things aside, than one with less, in the case of the Thiels.

Source improvements may be hard to assess if the bottleneck is the amps ability to drive the speakers to their max, even at lower volumes, due to limited current delivery, as is more typical with integrated amps than separate power amps due to the physical limitations imposed by having powr amp in close proximity to line level and even lower phono level circuits.. Once amp/speaker combo is in a good place, then one is in a better position to assess how well changes in source devices work or not, and it will be much easier to make improvements with that from there.

BTW, most speaker designs that target extended bass in a smaller box (a popular choice practically for many these days) is likely to be a difficult load for an amp to drive. Thiels are just one case. They are very good speakers. Just not ones that will perform equally well with just any amp.

Frogman - You're right I haven't supplied sufficient details of what I am looking for.. Ill try and be more specific, hope this wont be to rambly:

I think my system sounds good I enjoy it alot, however it does not provide me with as memorable and exciting listening experiences as when I had chances to listen to systems that use mainly vintage gear (I have this friend...).
I am looking for that kind of experience, where the the record/music makes the room come alive where you can feel the player or the instrument in the room with you, when you can really focus on one separated element in the music and discover hidden nuances and detail that you never knew were there, but not so much in a sterile way, but a "warm" sound that comes alive, full of gain and power to give the record new life and meaning. though im not sure its power im lacking in the current system I rarely surpass the middle of the volume dial.. I feel that there is definitely volume in my system.. or so I think.. its more that character detail and general "experience".. I guess I just want to go from great to really great or beyond

My room is about 10.5 f wide and about 30 f wide, its an old rail road apt, ceilings aint to high either, the speakers and the listening couch/"area" or on the 10.5 side opposite each other, probably about 7-7.5 feet from speaker to ear.
Ill try to post a pic,, though I know that my set up might be less than Ideal, but then again.. looks are important.

The 1300 would be without the proceeds.. haven't thought that trough I guess

The cartridge on my tt is the default cart that the pro ject debut III come with the Ortofon OM 5E.

Hope this will help with helping me :) thanks again

A decent tube pre-amp might be the ticket to a somewhat warmer sound with the Thiels. A juicier amp to go along with it to better address the rest of the goals perhaps.

Dynaudio would be one brand to consider for perhaps a tad warmer sounding option to the Thiels.

Adding a powered sub or two to the Thiels might help also, espcially if you think they may be undersized to deliver good extended bass in what sounds like a decent sized room.

Lots of ways to skin these cats. WIres might help fine tune things as well later if needed, but may not be the place to start in this case.

Moreytalmor, my suggestion to you is to go slowly. You seem to have a
pretty good idea of the type sound you are looking for. This is all a learning
process and it is most educational to change out one component at a time.
You seem to want to keep the Thiels; great, that simplifies matters. While I
think you are a prime candidate for tube electronics, I would get a better
turntable/cartridge next and see how far that takes you to your goal. A
better turntable will give you more of the musical involvement that you are
craving. In fact, I might start by upgrading the cartridge first to one that is
really good and you can install on the better turntable that you will buy later
after you get a handle on your new sound. Don't sell the old cartridge; you
will probably want to sell the Project with the old cartridge. Don't be afraid
to spend what may seem to be a disproportionate amount of money on a
cartridge; rmember any information that you lose at that stage of things you
will never be able to get back no matter how good the gear upstream. Start
by reading this:

eanlg&1200430667&&&/Who-needs-a-MM-cartridge-type-when-we-
ha>http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&&&/Who-
needs-a-MM-cartridge-type-when-we-ha