Frustrated with the sound of my system


Here is my system:
Rotel RCD-965BX CD Player as transport
MSB Link 2 DAC
Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 Signature preamp
Classe 10 amplifier
North Creek Audio Borealis speakers (Custom built kit speaker...something close to a Proac Response 2.5 design)
M&K V-75 sub
Kimber and Cardas interconnects
Kimber 4TC/8TC bi-wire speaker cables.

Here is my frustration:
The sound, regardless of music, sounds stringent, hard, really lacks air, and is anything but relaxed. It is fatigueing. I can listen to my Grado 60 headphones on an iPod and the sound is frustratingly more relaxed and has what I would call air.

I don't think that my system is that outstanding, but it really seems like I should be more pleased with what I am hearing.

I would be interested in your thoughts on where the most likely opportunity is. I really like the individual components of the system (OK the Rotel/MSB set up is old and just OK), but all together they seem to be underwhelming. I am thinking it is either in improving the digital front end (new player or DAC) or moving to a planar speaker to get the sound I desire. I have thought about new player like an OPPO 93 or 95, perhaps a tube based player or DAC, or else looking at something like a used pair of Maggie 12's or 1.6's. I have always enjoyed the Maggie sound.

In either case I am thinking that $2k is the absolute max I would want to spend on any solution. Thanks in advance. If there are other questions I would be glad to supply details.
stuartbmw3
Are the tweeters pointed right at your ears? If so, that might be an issue with your speakers. Try no toe in at all and pointed straight ahead. If possible, separate them at least 7-8 feet apart.
Seems like Gcdm01's advice about getting an inexpensive meter and test tone cd would be helpful in at least some respects as Stuartbmw3's room dimensions are pretty much a worst case scenario. Not sure how far up into the midrange an 18x18x9 room's nodes will get pushed, but he has a less than ideal acoustic situation. (Rives Acoustics sells a test tone cd that has it's test tone levels adjusted for the Radio Shack meter's departures from linearity.)
All the advice about treating the room is the most important. you do need a test cd like the Stereophile disc and a radio shack meter. print tbe Rives graph and plot your graph. you do need to move your speakers. advice from my audio buddies really helped. i too have a square room and have 15 sound panels, 2 diffusers,and 4 bass traps. it has taken 2 years to get it dialed in. i replaced the Rotel cdp with a Sony 5400 and that helped. get help before you spend the money.
Take a look at my system.looks good too,right.Well I'm going through the same thing..It 's the room,I guarantee it's the room.You have nice gear and It should sound better then a IPod..