Looking for new speakers

How does it work? You have to mail them the speakers? (!!!!)

The distortion I'm talking about is not egregious -- it doesn't immediately jump out at you, the way it might it there were serious issues with a driver or something -- in fact, close listening (with ear up to speaker) reveals that there are no drivers that are standing out as worse than others. It took me months of listening to realize that this was happening (it shows up most clearly in the Diana Krall record). In the beginning, of course, all I could hear was how much better it sounded than my old system. But over time, the sound difference from the previous system fades from memory, and you start hearing the flaws ... this seems to be the process! And one of the flaws I'm hearing is that there's just a STRAIN ... that might be a better word than distortion, though at root that's what it is .. especially in the instrumentals behind the lead voice, or the lead instrument (anywhere there's a large amount of sound coming through, as opposed to a single voice). Once you hear it, you can't unhear it!

I think maybe I should have just said I'm looking into the possibility of new speakers, and not mentioned distortion!

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions, and I will definitely check into some of the speakers mentioned.

I really don't think there's a problem with the turntable setup -- the dealer set it up in January when I bought it, and I basically have not touched it. The cartridge is a Koetsu black moving coil. It's so new I doubt it needs replacing or tweaking. However I can ask the dealer if he'd be ok with checking out the setup (I am not a person who enjoys fiddling with devices!).

The reason I think it's the speakers, or something beyond the amplifier, is (1) both devices going into the speakers are almost new and of excellent quality and (2) the distortion increases with the excellence of the recording, i.e., Analogue Productions 45s or the like. You can just hear that there's MUCH more information coming through. You can hear that it would sound absolutely fantastic if that information could come through distortion-free. And something can't handle it. Now, there's the possibility that it's the speaker cable, which is the only thing remaining from my ancient old system (the CS3.6s, purchased from eBay, were an upgrade from Thiel 2.2s purchased in 1992!). I plan to try new speaker cables first, but I seriously doubt that's the problem.

I'll see what information I can find out about having the Thiels checked out, and I'll take a look at some of the speaker threads on this site. Thanks for your input!

P.S. For those who suggested speaker cables -- I am going to try upgraded cables just to make sure they are not the problem. They are all that remains of my previous system -- Purist Audio Aqueous from early 90s! Not bad but .... who knows.