upgrade what

Vinyl: Cartridges and Phono Stages, i.e. source equipment, can make large differences in imaging. Stability can sharpen imaging.

Digital: IME It’s the speakers and the room, not the source equipment

i.e. which CD Player, which DAC, which tube, that is all related to ’preferences’, not Imaging.

I’ve owned various CD players, SS Preamps and Amps and Tube Preamps and Amps (and changed tube variations), 

I hear different characteristics, preferences, ... but not big differences in Imaging.

My speakers, adjusted, in my space, do what they do. My prior speakers, adjusted, in my space did what they did.

+1 @erik_squires 

Towing out needed with a lot of speakers, not just treatment at first reflection. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to stand any speakers I’ve had to be directly on axis, personally speaking. 

I also have Focal Sopras like Rick and have had very similar findings about them. I do not find them bright or fatiguing and have them tipped downward (leaning slightly forward) which brings the tweeter more in-line with my ear level. The two things that have made the most difference with mine are the leaning forward and new home made diffusion/absorption panels to cover my tv when I'm not using it, which is most of the time. I like mine toed in to the point that the "beam" crosses behind my head, so they are not aimed directly at me.

I have heard/read more than a couple times that Focals tend to be bright with any models below the Sopras. The Kantas especially. I can't confirm that as I've never heard any other than my Sopras, but again I don't find the Sopras bright so maybe there's something to that.

Fully agree with many on this post to upgrade your speakers.  I had listened to their Sopra 3s and couldn’t stand them...they sounded bright, shallow and thin. 

My Klipsch Heresy IVs literally blew them our of the water on all grounds.

To each their own, but speakers is where I would start and then go from there.

We are a Focal dealer, your speakers are excellent, when setup correctly they are awesome.

here are our recomendations:

One add isoacoustics footers under all components.

Upgrade your cd player to a unison research cd due player this is a superior sounding player/dac

It has an upgraded ess dac coupled to an all tube output stage it is warm and musical.

Upgrade from the audio quest power cables unless they are tornado or hurricanes the lower cost ones are just okay

Please contact our store for an in depth consultation.

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

Focal, unison and isoacoustics dealers