Thanks Riley. I've already been thinking along those lines, but it's a problem...while it is our music room, it's also my wife's favorite room in the house...we have beautiful views which she doesn't want to block (hence no window treatments) and a very high wood ceiling...
I'm considering a folding screen with some absorbent material which I would put along the back wall and could be moved when I am not doing serious listening.
That being said, I still think a better preamp is necessary.