I think the slowness that you might have experienced when comparing your set up with the Naim might be attributed to the massive tube amp that is running your system.
Another possibility of this slowness might actually be the Cary CD player, is that with the tube stage, right?
Furthermore, I believe that your cables, although very well reviewed, they might also add to the slowness.
The preamp you have is actually powerful sounding and quick, thus, have you tried to listen to different amps with your speakers? Being that they are medium efficiency, if I were you, I would try something like a 47 Labs gaincard amp, with 25 watts as an amp....Buy it for about 1.2k, used, try it and if you do not like it, sell it off.
Along with that, you might want to try a simplistic cable design, such as the 47 Labs OTA cables or the really affordable and well tauted Nearsota OTA, bare bone cables at $2.25/ft which is said to beat the 47 labs' OTA in close listening tests. Actually, Naim uses a cable that is similar in design with the OTAs.
I think even with these two modest investments, you will realize the quickness without the harshness that you are looking for.
PS: I myself have the First Sound Presence Deluxe MKI and used to partner it with a DNA 225 amp, into a pair of so so sensitivity speakers, Gershman X-1/SW-1s...but now, I am all into that quickness that only can be achieved with op amp low power amps (47 Labs/Final Music Labs) gear.
My gear right now, shucks, is all SS! Darn, I used to be have an all tube set up before, but now, it simply has changed directions. Funny, I do not feel that my current set up is missing the smoothness of tubes.
If you have questions, ask me.
