What to do next . . .?

Please do one change at a time and get confortable with that one change first. I would not get rid of the CD or DVD player. What I would do first is get a good DAC and use the CD player or CD player as a transport. The DACs that are in CD players or DVD players are typically (note I said typically, not always) not of great quality, because the power supplies are really not up to snuff and other things are not quite high-end quality in the internal DAC. Borrow a decent DAC, plug it in and you will hear a very marked difference in the sound quality. I guarantee. If you don't have the money for a new one, many used ones are available on Audiogon. For example, a Theta Gen V dac is wonderful for only a couple of hundred bucks. Heavy as a power amp with a power supply and internal circuitry that is high-end. Try it. I wouldn't change anything else until I add the DAC first. Don't change the pre-amp or power amp or speakers yet. One change at a time. Add the DAC first. Borrow and listen. If you can't borrow, then buy a used one inexpensive on Audiogon before investing large sums on something that you can't hear at home first.

enjoy

I agree with Ddd1.

I was all for changing the preamp for a used CJ with tubes until I found out about the 12X12 room. The 2Ce speakers are way too big for your room. Get smaller speakers first then a tube preamp.

Well all it good in the world. I convinced my wife to let me move the system into the living room (approx. 16d x 22w x 10h). Sounds much more open, though I've lost a bit of bass. Speakers are on the long wall. So i'll live with this a few weeks and just listen to the system again and "get to know it" again.

I will agree with most here, room is the key. Speaker positioning with enough "breathing" room is a must.Once you've decided where the system is going to be, I would advise to look over the power supplied to your system. Dedicated lines maybe ? This is a cheap upgrade, that will last forever no matter what gear you will plug into it.

And then, or now, get yourself a proven superior recording CD, of something you know well or enjoy very much. I'm not talking the regular remastering of an old popular album regularly sold at 9.99 $. Don't be cheap on that one. If it costs you 40 $, just get it !Surprises are available here. And remember that recording might not be available at your regular music store. Compare with what you are used to. It should, at least, show you if your system can give you more. After room treatment and power line improvement, if you don't get better performance from your actual gear, or don't hear any difference, then start looking for better units. But only then !

If your wife shows you enough mercy to install the system in the living room, remember you will need to distance your speakers from the wall to get the best out of them, unless they were specifically designed to be at the wall.That should test your wife's patience further more. Show her pictures of set ups here on Audiogon. Don't aggravate her by purchasing expensive equipment that don't improve anything ! At least have her shop with you, if she loves music of course! Otherwise, refrain from this last advice. A divorce is much more expensive than an audio system.