room makes or breaks

Without a doubt, the room is the most important component for determining sound.

Why? Because its usually the hardest thing to change. Other components can be easily adapted to the room, but there is only so much that can be done usually to adapt the room to the rest.

"Other components can be easily adapted to the room, but there is only so much that can be done usually to adapt the room to the rest."

I'm gonna dissent here. Most rooms I've seen have done little or some hodge podge job of room treatments, let alone not addressing underlying structural issues. There is lots that can be done. Learning what should be done and finding someone who can implement it is probably the hardest part and why (along with the potentially considerable expense) it is relatively rarely addressed.

I finally invested the time and money to build out a music room and it was worth every minute away from music and dollar spent! It took 9 months...

It will make your system shine better than ever and make you stop looking so hard to find that component or cable to take you over the top when it could be your room. I still look but with a discerning eye!

The post by Pops effectively makes Soix's point.
Regards,

It seems that your new setup is more 'near field' than the previous one. You are also avoiding quick sidewall reflection times and now hearing more from the speakers and less from wall reflection. Just a guess.