what do I change or upgrade?

What tubes are you presently using in your Lector? A quality matched pair of NOS tubes(ie: Telefunken or Siemens ECC801S, Valvo 6201) will make a MAJOR difference in your presentation. Those mentioned will provide exactly the flavor you are seeking(and will also make the bass more accurate). The builder of your CDP is a veteran tube roller BTW. Also- Are you using any isolation under the CDP? Good isolation will result in much better focus/definition(separation between voices), and eliminate much of that "smearing" you mentioned. Some leads on tubes: (http://www.tubemonger.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=236) (http://www.upscaleaudio.com/view_category.asp?cat=45)

I'd like to thank all of you for your suggestions...Shadorne,I've moved the speakers much closer and Arthur, I've also toed the speakers in per your suggestion. There is already a very significant improvement in clarity. The next step will be changing the tubes in the Lector... Btw, my room is approximately 23' x 15'..Shardone, are there any panel speakers in particular you are recommending and will the Mistral LE have enough power for them? Thanks again!

bob

Bob- After you ungrade the Lector's tubes, make the next step good isolation. For all their innate non-resonant construction, the Lectors respond really well to further isolation. On what do you have the unit resting presently?

its on herbies isocup/balls..looking for a good component shelf stand and then isolation under the amp and Lector...any suggestions?

Hi Bob- An inexpensive, but very effective, way that I've found: Purchase six Model 2 Vibrapods, six Vibrapod polymer cones and a 17" X 13" piece of Dupont Corian, 1/2" thick(or a 1/2 thick sheet of glass). Place 4 of the Vibrapods close to each corner of the Corian(cones up) and two 5 inches apart, centered on the Corian(front to back). Corian is totally non-resonant in the audio bandwidth, and extremely rigid. Place your CDP, WITH the Iso-Cups atop that. If you try it- I'd like to hear your results/reactions.