I currently have a few pairs of Paradigms, though only Signature, Monitor and older Performance series. Arcam is good stuff, and Sony has made some quality cd players over the years.
You didn't mention what speaker cables and interconnects you have. In my experience, they can made a good upgrade to the imaging and clarity departments. I spent the last 3 years experimenting with amps, integrated amps with my Signature S6 V2. I was surprised at what a good speaker cable did for me. I went from oxygen free copper 12 gauge stranded copper to a budget cable someone suggested to me. Audioquest Type 4, but he suggested I buy the bulk per/foot variety at about $5/ft. This cable is 4 conductors of solid core copper.
The change was immediate. More clarity and detail, which improved the imaging. Everything seemed clearer and in better focus. It wasn't that I was aware that I was lacking in these areas previously, but afterwards wondered why I waited so long.
Just recently I was A/B-ing some new speakers with the S6's. I used old 10 gauge fine strand for both with a speaker selector. The sound seemed congested in the higher frequencies at times. Afterward I reconnected the Audioquest Type 4 with my S6's, and could immediately tell the congestion was gone again.
Since you have a simpler system like I do, I'd try cables if you haven't already.
You didn't mention what speaker cables and interconnects you have. In my experience, they can made a good upgrade to the imaging and clarity departments. I spent the last 3 years experimenting with amps, integrated amps with my Signature S6 V2. I was surprised at what a good speaker cable did for me. I went from oxygen free copper 12 gauge stranded copper to a budget cable someone suggested to me. Audioquest Type 4, but he suggested I buy the bulk per/foot variety at about $5/ft. This cable is 4 conductors of solid core copper.
The change was immediate. More clarity and detail, which improved the imaging. Everything seemed clearer and in better focus. It wasn't that I was aware that I was lacking in these areas previously, but afterwards wondered why I waited so long.
Just recently I was A/B-ing some new speakers with the S6's. I used old 10 gauge fine strand for both with a speaker selector. The sound seemed congested in the higher frequencies at times. Afterward I reconnected the Audioquest Type 4 with my S6's, and could immediately tell the congestion was gone again.
Since you have a simpler system like I do, I'd try cables if you haven't already.