Thank you very much everyone. Wow, I'm offline for awhile and return to this great advice. I used to dabble in hi-fi (mid-fi actually) in HS and college. School and work requirements forced a hiatus. However, I am now re-entering through the back door of Home Theatre (perhaps one of its benefits to HE audio). I just added to 4B ST for two-channel and bought the Arcam (used) a couple of months ago. These changes really floored me and have now sent me on the quest.
I live in a small apartment and my stereo is in a 15'x12' space at the end of the main L-shaped living space. So, I unfortunately do not have room (or money) for a separate 2-channel system and room treatment options are very limited. The floor is carpeted and there is a lot of soft furniture in the space. The walls are plaster and there is a marble fireplace at the first reflection point for my right speaker. I know, far from optimal, but there really is nowhere else in the apartment I can move the system. I have experimented with speaker placement and toe-in with some success.
The rack is an industrial metal-wire rack with flat feet (no cones) and I am not using any dampening/isolation devices. I am using a Monster Power HTS-3500 for my CDP and receiver (pre), but not the 4B ST.
So far, I am leaning towards some HT truthlinks as an interim change until I can afford a decent rack and then a pre. For the time being, money is pretty tight, so I hope to make incremental, high-value changes through research and the experience I have found on this site. I'm grinning with the knowledge that my modest system has a LOT of room for inprovement. Think of all the CD-pulling, listening sessions I have to look forward to after each upgrade! (helps ease the wallet sting:)
Any additional insight/suggestions on the path of musical fulfillment are warmly received. Any advice for this 'yung grasshoppa' on how to keep this hobby from becoming a financially-draining obsession that alienates me from all friends and loved ones - or should I just make peace with this right now? Happy Listening, Mark.