Filling out the sound

You might also want to consider adding a tube buffer to the chain. It could hopefully be placed in a less visual location to preserve the look of your system and might give some of the fullness you are looking for. The Dodd tube buffer gets a lot of good reviews (there's even a DIY kit if you are so inclined), but there are others as well. Eastern Electric's is also well reviewed. There are less expensive prebuilt tube buffer options as well.

((Maybe the CJ system I had was not as great as I seem to recall, although I’m sure it was very good in many ways. It’s kind of like how legends grow through time…))

Roscoeiii your memory is fine and you are still a young guy.
What you owned CJ,Vandersteens and a turntable etc was and still is a high performance high end Audio system.


Compared to what you have now i think its wishful thinking if you feel like most here you can polish a decorator approved system into progress by making small tweaking changes only finding your going in circles.
Could it be cheaper and more enjoyable in the long run to go back to Vandersteens a tube pre an Vinyl?

To confirm what you already know and are second are guessing youself on take a listen to Vandersteens, a Tube pre amp with black records again in my onion its timeless.
Look up the definition of Form following function
and thats what worked for you instead of now your working for it.

Best Johnnyr

you should spend some time looking into room acoustics, treatment options, and speaker placement. Actually reverse what I just wrote...speaker placement, then room treatments, then room acoustics to make sure the treatment options are what you need.

good luck!

I experienced improved lower/mid range warmth and body when I added a pair of subwoofers to my system. Even though they are set at 35Hz each, they did improve the sound of lower/mid range.