odd response, MrT.
I can definitely relate to your experience. From time to time, I find my system stops sounding its best. Usually it's become not more bright but more dull and has a sound I think of as "sour." All of the fixes you tried are possibilities, but I have found that the most common solution for me is usually related to power conditioning or power cables. But not before I spin out in my head about what a loser audiophile (and person) I am and how I need to sell everything and start over, or get out of the hobby. :-)
I can definitely relate to your experience. From time to time, I find my system stops sounding its best. Usually it's become not more bright but more dull and has a sound I think of as "sour." All of the fixes you tried are possibilities, but I have found that the most common solution for me is usually related to power conditioning or power cables. But not before I spin out in my head about what a loser audiophile (and person) I am and how I need to sell everything and start over, or get out of the hobby. :-)