Critique my system...

If speakers cannot be well away from walls, then absorption panels or equivalent may help by reducing early reflections that help to smear sound, starting with primary reflection point from speaker to listening position for the speaker or speakers closest to the wall. High frequencies are most affected by absorbing panels so result should be less brightness in general, the question will be how much less which depends on many factors relating to speaker directionality and room acoustics.

Definitely worth getting a handle on how much of issue might be bass related. Panels won't do anything much to help with bass if that is what is lacking as opposed to too much treble.

Any tone controls on that gear? If so, use them. That's what they are for. :^)

"You shouldn't have any brightness problems with your amp and preamp."
Er, yes, he should. The LS3 IS a bright preamp. No doubt about it.

Shakey

Good stuff guys. Mapman, I like your comment about CD recordings...I think that may be some of it. Some good, new recordings sound very good if not perfect to me.

The lack of bass is probably not the speakers, I probably just don't have them in a great position to optimize bass...they supposedly go down to 44hz. Sheesh, I don't know...:/

I've been thinking about inviting a local audiophile over to have a listen...someone with a lot of experience. Anyone ever done this?

BTW, because the cables and interconnects are just used stuff my dad had, I'll probably try new stuff next. The local hi-end shop said for reasonable money, Kimber or Transparent is what they'd sell me. I'm thinking a couple hundred for interconnects and maybe $300 for speaker cables...any more and I'd feel dumb, considering the gear.

Thanks,
Aaron

You just might need more time for the speakers to break in a 100 hours is not a lot. I would upgrade the monster cables and perhaps a subwoofer could solve your bass issues. Good Luck