If I recall correctly the Creek volume control is passive and just attenuates the signal from the DAC section to your amp. You should review all of the requirements of successfully using a passive amp to make sure you're set up properly. This has been discussed at length in this forum in recent months. Also, I think you may be missing the warmth thats usually a built in benefit of the Cal Dac's which may have compensated some for the tendency of some of your other components may have to sound a tad bright. While I agree for the most part with Rives, I part with him re room treatment recommendations as a solution at this point in time as you did not have these problems before(although this would be money well spent in the long run as it would/should apply to any most any system you get). I would rethink my DAC/Pre amp and amp/speaker requirements and spend my money in that area before buying cables or interconnects or making great changes in the room. One thing you can try that takes a minute and costs zip - try changing the toe in of your speakers slightly moving the axis of the speaker away being pointed at the ear. If they are already pointed straight ahead, try moving them to cross well in front of you. It can work with some speakers that have fairly flat horizontal dispersion characteristics in the midrange/tweeter. Toed in can also help with side wall reflections.
