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Sound is too thin. What to upgrade, add or remove?

Need your advise - please have a look at my system below (click on the system link). Just in the past couple of months or so it seems, my setup started to sound way too thin in my ears. It feels as though the bottom-end is just not enough anymore. But I as you can see from the pictures, I try to stay on the minimulist side of things. The aesthetics are very important as well (WAF). I can't really have too much exposed gear (WAF). What can I do to boost the overall sonics of this system without adding a sub? How much more can a power conditioner add? What about replacing the power tubes, IC's and adding a DAC? or should I switch to a different amp - like a Gamut (SS) 200/wcp? What other push-pull (100 wpc or more) quality tube amps are out there? My budget is $2K - $3K plus the value of current amp if I were to swap it out.

I really appreciate your comments. Thank you.

Jewel
128x128jewel_hasan
michg56
11 posts
 
Your system has some of the best components out their. You do not need to replace anything. You need to work on speaker placement. It appears from the picture that your speakers are way too far apart. I had Kharma CE 2.0's and they need to be about 84" from woofer center to woofer center. They should not be toed-in. They should be straight. They must also be moved farther from the rear wall, at least 24 inches, although more would be better. These are great speakers; but placement is critical. This is a good starting point. You will be amazed at the difference.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,111 posts
 
Speaker placement is critical. It makes no sense to start replacing equipment until the speakers are in the right place. Cosmetically they may be well placed, but sonically they are in Audio Hell!

Placement for my Kharma's was very important. I played around for a long time before settling for the position they currently occupy.

Get those speakers out where they were designed to be placed. You might not need to do anything else once that's done.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,424 posts
 
What I see is a very hard, reflective room with very little in the way of absorbent materials. So you probably have lots of bass but too much of everything else for proper balance.

I would suggest putting in wide-range absorbent panels and/or traps. The former is probably less conspicuous and, perhaps, you can put some on the ceiling in between the beams. That would seem quite unobtrusive. One or two diffusive panels on the wall behind the speakers would also help.

Kal (in the throes of the same issue)
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