Upgrade from B&W 802D1 to Focal Utopia Scala Evo

Last night, I hooked up my very old Arcam CD-72 CD player (around 2000) and compared it to my current Mark Levinson 5101 SACD player.

I found that the older (cheaper) Arcam CD-72 player actually made everything sound not as sharp and edgy. Actually, more listenable. I realize it is probably a mis-match for such high end speakers to be matched to a lower end source, but it sounded better than the Mark Levinson.

Now I realize the Mark Levinson has more defined / deeper bass, more air, more detail, but also more edginess and harshness.

What am I hearing? and what is the real issue?

Now I realize the Mark Levinson has more defined / deeper bass, more air, more detail, but also more edginess and harshness.

What am I hearing? and what is the real issue?
 

You are hearing what I mentioned in my response above. Changing speakers is a major impact on the synergy of your system. You have changed the sound signature and how it interacts with your room. Adding the old cd player that rolls off high frequencies and rounds off edges helped a bit but it’s a band aid. 
 

You have to look at every piece of electronics, cables and the most important component, your room acoustics. And give the focals a chance to break in. The woofers need some time to loosen up and start producing bass that will balance it all out within the possibilities of the room acoustics. 
 

Can you list all your components, cables and room treatments(rugs, any acoustic panels, etc.)
 

Top to bottom:

Arcam CD-72 or Mark Levinson 5101 SACD player

Cardas quadlink 5-c RCA interconnects

PSaudio BHK preamplifier (has input tubes)

XLR Audioquest Water interconnects

PSaudio BHK 300 monoblocks (has input tubes)

Bi-wired speaker cables,

Cardas Quadlink 5-c speaker cable for upper frequencies

Audioquest Indigo speaker cable for lower frequencies

Room is furnished with rug, cement floor, sofas, long curtains, many pillows and throws

Thanks. If rug is between listening position and speakers that’s fine. Nothing there stands out to me as a red flag except the first reflection points if speakers are close to side walls.
How far apart are the speakers? Measured between center of woofers and what is the toe in? And how far to side walls and front wall behind the speakers?

I’ll add that if you are willing to make this work you will need to re-evaluate your cabling as well. 
I’ve not heard that particular cardas or audioquest but none of that stuff is going to do these speakers, or the B&Ws justice. But the wires is something you can address later. Get a hold of a stereophile test CD and play low frequency tones on repeat at normal volume for an hour to give the woofers the needed workout. Or get a cheap streamer like wiim pro and stream tesr tracks from qobuz to shake things out for at least several hours each day.