I have found that as the systems become more refined there is a point where those old mediocre recordings become listenable again. Yes you can hear the shortcomings but also the musicality comes through.
You have great electronics, but I think the cables are an issue. I'd try shorter cables (Bolder Cables or Dynamic Design are two which I know are clear and neutral). Very good gear is revealing but does not sacrifice musicality, cable anomalies can cause a subtle exaggeration of certain frequencies which may sound revealing but also fatiguing and simply not natural.
You have great electronics, but I think the cables are an issue. I'd try shorter cables (Bolder Cables or Dynamic Design are two which I know are clear and neutral). Very good gear is revealing but does not sacrifice musicality, cable anomalies can cause a subtle exaggeration of certain frequencies which may sound revealing but also fatiguing and simply not natural.