Something just isn't there

All great posts!  Thank you all for bearing with me.

I will try the tweaks, lower crossover and VTA.  The TT was just set up by Jacques at Oracle so it should be quite right.

I need to reduce reflective surfaces with corner traps and tapestry wall hangings and use area rugs to balance the large ceiling area.  The floor itself is super rigid and solid in a 100yr old house; no flex, give, or squeak. 

Larryi is right.  I do tend to turn it up, trying to capture a presence or visceral connection with the sound. 

I'm guessing that lush indicates more pronounced middle frequencies, warmer sound.  My sound is detailed but still musical, not harsh or analytical.  Perhaps an element of lushness is needed.  Wlutke, I like the idea of IC and tube upgrades as part of the overall plan.

This is a great thread.

It has really helped me listen to and think about the sound.  Interesting about the visceral physical part of the experience.  I suppose this has to do with focused energy, even at low volume levels.  I could imagine when dissipated or conflicted the energy pattern will be heard and felt as weaker.  I feel like this part is missing for me.

Ok, I looked at the SR HFT. Small metal pieces with a concave conical shape.   I gotta admit that seems a stretch, but of course I haven't experienced them myself. 

Over the holidays, Ill be playing with a lot of the ideas above:  speaker placement, taming the room, tube dampers, fuse replacement, new isolating feet for the phono preamp.  I may even begin to look at the daunting issue of ICs and power cords.