sounstage too big bad thing

A bigger sound stage may require that you listen farther back than usual.

When done right and listened to from a location with an amicable perspective, it should be a good thing.

There can be more separation between instruments or recording lines and more air and space within the soundstage which helps our ears pick up sonic cues that help flush out details and overtones better.

It can be like enlarging a photograph. With enough resolution to start with and accurate reproduction, patterns and details can be detected by our senses more easily.

Mapman: good point, my listening chair is positioned about,
8 feet from speakers, maybe by moving back 3feet would make a diference, will try that if doesn't work the XLO will have to go, thanks, will post later with results:

It sounds like your new cables have opened up your system. Probably time to rearrange your sweet spot. Without knowing what speakers etc. I wouldn't necessarily move further back. Try different toe in positions. I recently tried crossing over the sweet spot. The left speaker is aiming at my right should and visa versa. I doubt that the cables ruined the rest of your system.

I associate a larger soundstage with increased resolution, always a good thing. I've never heard a too large soundstage, unfocused yes, but increases in depth, height and width have always been positive, the amount of immersion/forwardness can be exasperated by a larger soundstage.

You mention increases in detail, openness with the XLO,based on your description I think it is likely the MIT is failing to reach the full potential of your system in regard to detail and soundstage. I wouldn't give up on the XLO just yet.

Seems you're suffering from an unfocused, forward soundstage, you don't mention height, width and depth being a problem. Your problems with the XLO could simply be exposing issues elsewhere in the system. I've found different isolation schemes can help focus to a large extent, get your equipment off any compliant devices, use spikes and ball bearing devices. You also may have to try different cabling in the rest of your system in order to reduce forwardness. It could also be the XLO will never be synergistic in your system, still, I wouldn't give up on creating a larger soundstage. You can have focus, proper perspective and a large soundstage all in correct proportion, may take some work!

Have you given the cables time to run in? I've heard un-broken-in cables and electronics sound the way you described. After they have been played in for awhile (20 to 100 hrs, depending on the cable), the soundstage perspective and details settle into the proper perspective.