Update:
I pulled out my old dusty Cinepro 600X2SE Amp (300W Per channel) that hasnt been turned on in probably 10 years!.. and peeled signal off the pre-outs from the old Pioneer AVR. Just a few songs in, but HOLY HELL! What an enlightenment! Everything else is same, room position, LP, etc. OMFG! Excited to try a good pre like my Bryston. Really surprised how awesome the old Cinepro sounds as well.
I'm not saying the sound is perfect, but its a HUGE improvement. I still need to tame some room nodes, and theres a peaky upper midrange i get on occasion. Tried an Enya CD and it was ear-piercing. Not sure what's going on there. And theres a bit of smear to the detail. I will be trying the other room soon.
Anyone find it Ironic how the AMP is X2SE and the speakers are S2EX???!!