Congested sound, new speakers?


Hello out there,

I hope I can use your collective insight, wisdom, and experience to help me out. I am currently running a system comprised of a modified Pioneer DV-525 running into a Z-Systems RDP-1 digital preamp/EQ, then into a Camelot Uther V2 MkIII DAC, directly into a Bel Canto EVO 200.2, powering Thiel CS1.5 speakers, all strung together with DH Labs wire (D-110 digital, BL-1 II balanced interconnects, and Q-10 speaker wire).

My tastes in music have changed over time and I find myself listening less to modestly dynamic, all acoustic music (folk, jazz, solo classical) and more to music with electric instrumentation (fusion, jambands, progressive rock)with sustained high dynamics. While very good with the acoustic material, my system sounds a bit congested and confused with the more complex material. I suspect that it is the small Thiels, but I would like your opinion on different speaker options, considering my shift in listening material. I haven't been speaker shopping for awhile and work has kept me too busy to read much of the audio journals. What do you think? New speakers worth investigating? I am sure I could use some proper room treatment as well, but that is an area that I am not particularly familiar with. Any and all suggestions and advice would be appreciated; I just need to get a handle on some reasonable options! Thanks in advance. . .
stereojen
Oh, I also thought I should add that I listening in a near-field arrangement, in an equilaterial trangle setup, about 7 feet from the speakers. That is the best my current room allows, but I will be moving to a larger room, about 12x19x8 within a few months, so that is the more critical space to work with. Thanks again. . .
Stereogen: Before you go runnin' around looking at speakers (which might be fun come to think of it. I understand that you have good speakers now. When you move into your new space you'll be able to audition for the right speaker. I have the same arrangement as you. Try working with toe in/out. I'm sure placement will give you a change. I also put 10lb dumbbell weight on top of my monitors. That created a huge difference in resolution. Don't know why. Last week I bought a 30"x80" piece of acoustic foam and secured it behind my listening spot. That one tweak changed the whole setup. It tends to tone down the sizzle of the tweater and bring out the mids and lows. Just my 2 cents but I would work with what I have until you make the move. Good luck.

BTW: I'm looking at the DH Lab Q-10 and wonder what other cables you've tried and your impression.

Regards
What modified Pioneer 525? Stan Warren? What you describe could be many things, including the DAC and/or the DVD player (jitter, etc). Do you use power conditioning? Dirty power is another possibility. When did this problem start (when you bought the speakers)?