Seeking help finding the weak link(s) in my system and offering suggestions please.

Hello to all,

The demo system I listened to was top-of-the-line McIntosh and B&W speakers all wired up with AQ IC's and Speaker cables. In terms of what I heard that moved me, it was like the artists were right there in the same room with me, each in their respective places with absolutely no veil over the sound as I have this problem in my system. The SQ out of the demo system raised the hairs on the back of my neck, I have never heard sound produced like this before, it actually touched me at an emotional level.
All of the above suggestions are excellent - thank you! I do think I set my budget to low on the speaker cables, problem is the good ones are quite expensive. DSP room correction I have heard does some amazing things to your system, but I have no idea who makes such devices, can anyone help with this? As far as Synergistic Research goes, I'll check into it. Thanks again everybody. Please keep this going! 

Hello, millercarbon1. I am embarrassed to say I have no idea what HFT, HFTX, ECT is? I think I got the PHT as being fuse upgrades, yes?

Thank you! 

Krell Vanguard Integrated Amp.
Cambridge Audio AZURE 851N Streamer/DAC.
Sony SCD2000ES Transport/SACD player.
Luxman T117 Tuner (Best sounding component)?

I took a quick look at the descriptions and specs of these components, and I’m wondering if a factor in your perception that the tuner might be the best sounding component may be the fact that the Krell integrated amp has unusually high gain (48 db, corresponding to a sensitivity of only 0.16 volts), and consequently the relatively low output voltage of the tuner (0.7 volts in FM mode) may result in using volume control settings that are more optimal than with the other components.

I’m thinking that the high gain of the amp may be causing you to run the volume control of the Cambridge at a setting that is well below max, which can be sonically disadvantageous in the case of volume control mechanisms operating in the digital domain (as is the case with the Cambridge). And perhaps you are having to run the amp’s volume control at undesirably low settings when you listen to the Sony.

If so, you may want to consider inserting Rothwell attenuators at the inputs of the amp to which the Sony and/or the Cambridge are connected. I and a number of others here have reported fine results using Rothwell attenuators, while a few have reported them as causing some compromise to dynamics. I suspect that the latter cases may often be due to impedance issues, which would not be present with your particular components. I would avoid any inline attenuators other than the Rothwells, though, as I know that some of the others have impedances which are much more likely to be problematical.

http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/attenuators.html

Finally, since the Cambridge unit provides both balanced and unbalanced outputs, if you already haven’t I would try both and compare. I would not assume that either one would necessarily provide better sonics than the other, as it will depend on the designs of the interface circuits in both that unit and the amp.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

It all starts with the source and ends with the room.  If you are using the DAC in the Sony SCD2000ES...then that is the weakest link...I know because I owned one...but if you are using the DAC in the Azure...then I'd suggest trying another DAC...there are a lot of better options for $1k....virtually all of them can be returned if they aren't a big improvement.  Here is one link to get you started:

https://www.cherryamp.com/dac-dac-d-to-a-convertor

Dear Almarg9, thank you for taking the time to research my components - most appreciated! Interesting observation and one that is completely true. Yes, most of my listening is through the Cambridge via Balanced connection to the Krell, where a to achieve a near Live sound volume, the Krell is at approximately 25% output level, (based on the volume setting), where the Luxman Tuner being single ended, the output volume setting needs to be set higher for similar output. The Krell has a "Trim" setting where you can somehow adjust each input, both Balanced and SE, to produce the same output regardless of input, I have never used this feature but will look into adjusting the Balanced signal to match. I will also try the SE outputs of the Cambridge and note the difference. SNAPSC, The Sony is connected directly via Digital Coax to my Cambridge Streamer/Dac and makes for a great transport as it holds 5 disks. The only exception is when I listen to the rare SACD, then I use it's line level outputs. What DAC's might you suggest that you know will outperform the Cambridge?

I thank you both for your kind assistance!