Opinions on why this system is uninvolving

Tubegroove is right, dump the speakers. Look around, stay away from wjat people call "high resolution"; look for what people call "musical." Vandys are not your answer. Spendors, guys?

Bwhite also right, get those nice amps OUT of the Hydra and into the wall. Plug CD/pre into Hydra. Avoid long IC's if at all possible.

Get better IC's/spkr cabling. Ask around, see other posts, say how much you are willing to drop.

Hovland nice, good company, but Supratek far better, less money. You'd like it. See current thread on it.

Good luck!!

I appreacite all of your suggestions. Before doing anything rash, I am going to take Kana813's advice and check out the impedance interactions between these components and talk to Scott Frankland. I understand he is a dealer (or works at one) in San Jose. By the way, Kana813, you're right about the octal front end tubes on the MFAs, but they are not that old.

I will also switch the Shunyata to the digital front end and preamp and plug the amps right into the wall sockets which are dedicated. Oddly enough, yesterday just taking the Mamba off the DAC and replacing it with a Sidewinder seemed to result in some improvement.

BWhite, the EADs are the 7000 series; the first series they produced, I think. I have been thinking about trying the EAD transport with the Metronome DAC to see if it sounds better than the Metronome transport; the EAD transport is built like a tank.

Many of you have suggested getting rid of the 30' interconnect run, but to do that would require a 30' run from the preamp to the DAC (not to mention the tuner, SACD, and turntable). Would that be a better situation anyway? It would be inconvenient this way as the preamp would no longer be close to the listening position and would instead be close to the speakers. Are there any ICs of which any of you are aware that the Hovaland might have an easier time running at 30'?

Thanks again.

I have always thought the Revel Studio's were clinical but they focus very well. I think the Studio's need high-current solid-state amplification to sound their best. IMO, the image wander you mention could be attributed to your amplification.

The lack of dimensionality makes me suspect your DAC or transport.

I would definately take a look at different speaker cables. There is much better out there then Tara Labs. Generally I have found Tara Labs to sound vieled and soft.

Just try the shorter interconnect on a temporary basis to see if that is where the problem lies. If it is, then you can consider various options.

Just try the shorter interconnect on a temporary basis to see if that is where the problem lies. If it is, then you can consider various options.