Vandersteen 3 w/ARC d240 MKII

I had some custom Mogami XLRs made up a while back, so Ill swap those tonight.
Wlutke, I dont have 18yrs...lol
Zd542, I get it. Ill tweak it some more, I just feel there is a bigger issue at hand here.
Even when I was trying to squeeze the last little bit out of my Martin Logans with placement, I could still hear the potential and I'm not getting that with the Vandersteens.
I wish I had a different speaker cable.
I have a ton of CAT6 left over from a project I just did, maybe ill try one of those TNT DIY projects and see what happens.

Thx guys.
The speakers are set up "pretty" good now, but ill work on the tilt and toe a little more.
The room is large at 16x16.
The speakers are old, so good call on the terminal cleaning!
I have ran a couple Stereophile test CDs and all drivers are working, responding well and everything is in phase.
A little background on the damaged Midnight 3s.
2 of the wires going to a spade were severed clean off so Ive since disconnected both cables and packaged them up to be sent back for factory repairs.
Pmottz, funny you mention loudness.
The Vandersteens only seem to come alive if the volume is high, and that is why I was curious about the amp.
I auditioned the amp in a very similar system, and that system sounded very detailed and imaged very well.
I guess the problem Im having is, when I listen to music, a piano doesnt sound like a piano any more, it sounds like a recording of a piano and vocals are just not real any longer.
I have heard the ARC amp and similar my Vandersteens sound very well separately, but not together, so its reassuring to know we think the amp has enough power.
Ive never felt great about the Audioquest Type 4s and I have a feeling they are choking the sound.

Thanks All!
Good replies.
I have read very good things, here and a few other sites about the d240, and when I auditiioned it, I was very pleased, so it very well could be the placement--I just find it hard to believe this much resolution could be affected by toe and tilt, but stranger things have happened in my world....lol
I also understand about finicky placement/set up as I was using Martin Logans before this, so even if the speakers weren't set up perfectly, I feel they should image and reproduce better than they are currently.
I remember the first time I listened to Vandersteen 3s and it was Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon.
I heard background sounds for the first time I didnt know were in the recording.
Its pretty much what got me into our hobby...lol
Plasmatech. Im using and ARC LS3b in Direct mode connected to the amp with Transparent XLRs.
So, I will play with the set up over the next few days and post the results.
If anybody has any thoughts, please do not hesitate to chime in.

wlutke, you nailed it! That's exactly how it sounds/feels.
I need the musicians in the room...lol
Speakers are on factory sound anchor stands, 2' off back wall and 3-1/2' off sidewalls.
I got home late last night so no audio play time. I'll spend a few hours on Saturday.
I truly appreciate all the feedback!

Thanks all for the suggestions.
I've come to the conclusion the Vandersteens are not for me/my system.
Time to start looking for another pair of MLs.
Again, thanks for replies.

Audioconnection, I swapped out the Transparent MusicLink for the Mogami 2534 w/Neutrik XLRs this afternoon, and the sound has improved.
Good call on the Transparent cables.
They were the first XLRs ive owned (bought them here) and didnt realize they were as you say, "a little on the dark side".