Sorry, I didn’t read any of the comments just the original post. Specifically:
I think my components are all good, but together my system is not making music, rather is is making bright bass less noise.
Then I look at the list of components and think, yeah, what else?
My guess is without reading the comments it is full of gosh you have good stuff. My impression looking at your component list is of course you have "bright bass less noise" - every single one of your components is why!
You have accidentally achieved a perfect storm of hi-fi sounding gear. The speakers might be okay, but even a really sweet little Raven Blackhawk tube amp cannot transform Mark Levinson into music. Some things simply cannot be done. A man’s got to know his limitations.
Seriously, Raven Blackhawk. Replace the B&W with something Tekton. Anything, frankly, especially if you want bass. I just heard Pendragon XL on Townshend Podiums with a 37wpc Bel Canto SET amp and it was to die for. You would NOT be saying "bass less noise" you would be saying "Oh My God I want THAT!" You simply do not need more than 20w, not with proper speakers anyway.
Wish I could say it is just one thing but sadly the truth is every single one of what you have is contributing in full to the "bass less noise" you are hearing. Cables too, I am sure. Townshend F1 will do you nicely. Then put everything on Pods.
The beauty of it is you can probably ditch your whole system, sell it all off, and buy newer better like I’m saying and have money left over. Then sit back and marvel at the incredible transformation. Come back then and I will explain how it is that a much cheaper system can be so much more musically satisfying. But by then you will already know.
