My streamer doesn't have a good fantom centerDSP

@soix I have tried swapping L/R cables, also done all the fq sweeps and phase test through tidal to dial things in. It is in fact in phase, have tested it so many times. One thing that did throw me off was that the L/R test is backwards!! Now that I know that, all is good. 

Also tried different inputs on my pre-amp, different cables, none of that made a difference. Both the pre & power amp have been fully restored by me last winter, replaced like 250 parts in both. They are in tip-top condition. 

As a last resort, put in another set of speakers, new KLH Model 5, same thing. 

OP    That center image isn’t always there. 

That’s what new digital processors sound like. That’s why I’m sticking with older Oppo bdp-95 which has sound focus and images. All newer DACs are distortion noise monsters without sound focus/images regardless of cost.

Listen to the original Eagles and remastered. The remastered sounds smoother (more distortion noise) but the focus is gone. The original sounds focused and cleaner overall noise. D chip companies marketing to sell more DACs worked and still working. The sound is getting worse and people can’t hear it. Watch whose keep saying the new DAC sounds great and poor followers. Alex/Wavetouch audio

Original - Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977

Remaster - Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977

That’s what new digital processors sound like. That’s why I’m sticking with older Oppo bdp-95 which has sound focus and images. All newer DACs are distortion noise monsters without sound focus/images regardless of cost.

Well that’s just ridiculous. 🤪🙄

Cheapest solution is to investigate speaker spacing and toe in, as well as room acoustics. 

FWIT I have an Oppo 105d, an Oppo 971 ( yes a 971 ), a Cambridge DAC Magic 200, a Schiit Bifrost , an A series Schiit Yiggy with a gen 5 usb card. I’m currently running a Innuos Pulse mini with upgraded LPS to the Yiggy. I have about $1k in a pair of interconnects and a usb not to mention the power cords , and a Stacks filter and isolation footers. There are a number of processing chips and a couple styles of DAC implementation. I personally don’t care for the sound of the DAC in the Oppo’s. My current setup is the Innuos to the Yiggy to a Rogue Hera to Rogue M-180’s to Tekton DI’s. I have about $5K in dedicated lines , power conditioning and cables. All upgraded nos tubes and some acoustic treatments. So when I’m streaming from either Tidal , Qbuz , Internet radio that sound you are seeking , I get most of the time. I’m sitting here  streaming Dot 1 Fm with Bob Segar doing “ Against the Wind “. The speakers disappear the vocals are in the middle like he’s here. If I adjust the balance 1 db left or right it’s like he moved a couple feet left or right. I’ve almost reached the level of my TT , with the Innuos being the weak link. You have a taste of what’s possible and will have to try for yourself to move up the SQ ladder. I can’t really suggest what you should do with any certainty. But it will cost you some dollars. A one box solution might be a Bluesound ( latest version ), a higher level Cambridge streamer ( $1k or $1.5k ), or something similar. You are obviously smart and skilled with the ability to restore your system. There are other skilled people here that use an optical isolation and assemble streamers that are very effective for under $1k. That coupled with a nice DAC in the sub $1k range would obtain a SQ better than expected. I personally avoid Chinese products but there are streamer DAC combos in the $1-1.5 k range that are raved about. FWIT I had a post asking why Dot 1 Fm and Radio Paradise sounded better on my system than Tidal or Qbuz. I was told the format is different and most consider it sub par. But for me, my speakers disappear and the soundstage expands significantly. The other thing is I am hardwired with cat 6 and do not use any blue tooth. BTW with your skill set have you upgraded the diaphragms or the crossovers in your Klipsch speakers ? Keep experimenting and you will get good results. Sorry to be long winded and your system is Super Cool. Regards , Mike B