Help with System Musicality


I'm reaching out to my fellow A'goner's with an issue I'm sure many of you have faced before. My current system (VPI Scoutmaster/Zyx R100H, First Sound Presence deluxe MKII, Edge G8+, Volent CL2i speakers, Mac Mini music server, and Sonore DSD DAC nad MIT, Analysis plus, and Wireworld cables...sounds extremely accurate, revealing, etc.... But that's the problem. It's not music! My favorite system of all time, before Desert Storm war, was Project 6.1 with Kiseki Blue Gold, Vac in the box phono, Reference line 2a, Air Tight el34 Amp, and totem Model 1 with Purist Audio cables. i couldn't have been happier and have been chasing the same enjoyment since then. I want that magic back! Looking for suggestions to upgrade/change system. I like warmth, holographic soundstage, realistic bass, and in-the-room presence with an emotional connection. I'm desperate...listen to %95 jazz. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. First corrective step @ $3K.
Ag insider logo xs@2xcommunique1
Couple years ago, a group of audiobuddies and I, all experienced listeners with high def systems, visited one of our kind who had just bought a RR-777. We spent quite a while trying to hear what he said he heard and there were many A/B comparisons. Not saying he DIDN'T hear it, but it was awfully subtle. I'm not sure whether he still uses it or not.
You sound like an experienced audiophile but I have to ask...

Have you exhausted set up possibilities, i.e. speakers far out into the room, triangulated listening position/speaker location, wall treatments, toe in, etc? A few inches can make a big difference.

I find that a lot of guys just locate replacement speakers where the last speakers worked well and assume that is the best location. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way too often.
Newbee,
I have been into the "hi-end" since the late seventies. You are correct in your assessment of speaker placement and I have a dedicated music room under construction as I write this to make such placement optimal. My main issue beside imaging is tonality and since I'm just spending day 2 with my new Antique Sound Labs Cadenza DT's, I've gotten the body and soul back into my music! In the current room presence has increased exponentially...all with only a change in the amplifiers from Edge G8+'s.
Before making equipment changes why don't you wait until the dedicated room is finished and then try to optimize? It's not a sprint, it ain't even a race.
Hi Communique1, The simple act of changing the power amplifiers made a huge difference. I'm not surprised by your improvements via removing the Edge amplifier. Upon reflection, you probably aren't surprised either.
Regards,