severe limiting factor

Well, if you could tell us more your room's dimensions and placement, as well as what you mean by "no soundstage or imaging". What are your expectations and what do you get. Could be the result of many things but your speakers, amp and preamp are certainly up to the task of giving you a reasonably good sense of imaging and soundstage. And while the Magnavox may sound shrill, dull, whatever, and can easily be bettered, it should not present as you described.

I think you stll need to work on speaker placement....
even systems that the components are mid fi can create stage and some depth, maybe not the ultimate in these areas but some. I think your equipment has the means to produce the things you want and do it very well. Also your room plays a bigger role than you might think and often a mid fi system can sound great in a good room, but a high end system can sound like crap in a bad room. As for the CD player, it is holding your system back but I think it's more the speaker Placement and your room than CD player. Happy Listening!

While components and cabling can drastically alter soundstage and imaging, a large percentage of what you'll hear will be attributed to how the speakers load into the room and where your listening position is in regards to those loading characteristics / nodes.

Having said that, from what i can remember of them, Thiel's are not "wide sweet spot" speakers. While they can image and produce a solid soundstage, you have limited seating options with them. On top of that, they tend to be somewhat bright up top if you are sitting in the sweet spot and have them toe'd in. As such, you've got your work cut out for you choosing between improved imaging / soundstage and even tonal balance. Sean
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