Evaluation of my 2ch system

Well, your equipment certainly seems to be of high enough quality. So, my questions are:

1. Do you have it set up in the right place? Does the bass sound right? That is almost surely the indication of proper placement of your speakers and your listening seat. Interesting and inexpensive to play with.

2. Are the sibilance, plosives, fricatives all handled gracefully? That can also be placement, or room acoustics (reflective surfaces, etc). In the case of analog, it could be your cartridge set up - VTA, Azimuth, etc. It can also be the settings in your phono preamp. 

3. Is the Tone, Timbre and Dynamics as you like them? That can be equipment (I went for tube equipment to get more of the Tone and Timbre I wanted), or set up. If I have those three things as I like them, all is well. Those who really care about imaging have other work to do...

3. Are you engaged with the music? You don't feel the need to read or use your phone/computer, and you get a kick out of what you are hearing. For me, that is the sign that things are "good enough." I actively search for components that are good enough to make me applaud at the end of performances (I do this almost unconsciously), and want to talk with someone, or write about it. I just want to make my heart or brain stop worrying about equipment or life, and get into what I'm hearing. I think that happens when I have good enough equipment, and I have it set up correctly in my room. 

You have good enough equipment, no doubt. At least for me. But working on set up, and then finding music that sets you on fire, or calms you down, or whatever you want and need it to do is the key to your system working for you. 

David

Have you measured your room? I know you said you have room treatments, but the question is still open as to positioning of listening position, speakers,and treatments. 

Wow, these are all great responses and worthy of reply.

   First, I am setup using the Cardas Golden Ratio method for my room dimensions.  
It’s interesting, even though I have the big 15” speakers in the Tannoy and Klipsch, I find theXT8f provide more bass than the other two and find that they pull me into the music more.

ghd, your statement gives me pause, because when you say “unique”, it makes me think that you feel that something there may not be a good pairing, and that is exactly the type of input I am looking for.

table, that is exactly what I tell myself.  I know measurements matter, however, if feel that regardless of what measurements tell you, your ears may not agree.  I feel that is what makes this hobby so personal.  I have 60 year old ears that I have tried to protect, but we can’t outrun time.

dtorc, you must be a speech therapist or some facsimile thereof.  In my years in this hobby (and I am no expert, just a guy who enjoys listening to music), I have never heard those descriptives used;”splosives and fractives”.  I always hear the usual terms used, but you piqued my curiosity and I looked those terms up.  I feel those are much more relatable and easier to discern and gives you something that is really easy to hear, so thank you.  
   You mention that imaging is separate from Tone, Timber and Dynamics, why is that, are you saying essentially “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”?  I genuinely ask that as a question because I don’t understand why if that is the case.

hilde, no I haven’t measured my room, I wouldn’t know where to start, seeing asI live in rural Idaho.  I may be wrong, but the world of measurement seems to be another hobby entirely, which I already have many (woodworking, mountain biking, hiking, shooting) and requires a level of investment that my wife would probably red me the riot act if I so pursued.

   All that being said, I just feel that something may be missing, and I wonder if it’s the DAC, I am not sure, maybe play with  an R2R?  I am tempted to play with speaker placement, as the golden ratio may not be the end all as I always thought it was, especially how prevalent it is in nature and beauty and mathematics!  

All of your insights are greatly appreciated!

Nice system !!! I agree with trying to move speakers around, change toe-in etc...the Golden Ratio I think is merely a good starting point...and very likely each of your speakers needs something different...

Have you considered adding a sub or two? Your room has a fair amount of cubic volume (high ceilings). Your also limited to placement options whereas subs can be positioned properly. Seating location is also critical. The Tannoy XT8F are great speakers but you could fill in the very bottom end.  Subs would also help have better scale at lower listening levels.

They are -6db @32 hz. A sub would add weight and body to the music. You should call REL and talk to them.