Time to celebrate... what's the best next step?

[Ace944gs]

So I just successfully defended my dissertation this afternoon, and in celebration, I think it is time to upgrade the weakest link of my modest 2ch system! (also, time to drink lots of adult beverages...). I have some ideas, but being a relative novice compared to ya'll, suggestions are very welcome...where would YOU go from here? Budget should be below $500 per upgrade.

Here is what I currently roll with-

Bang & Olufsen Beogram RX2 TT -> Adcom GTP-400 -> Adcom GFA-535ii -> LSi7's ->MicroPro2000 (MIT EXP1 IC; EXp 2 Speaker Cables)

Sources are 40% LPs, 60% streaming over Apple Airport Express (building the lossless collection, slowly), connected directly to the pre (no DAC). I thoroughly enjoy almost any type of vocal music, with exceptions mainly in the country/heavy metal/rap categories...all other genres are in scope.

Any thoughts and suggestions are very welcome!!

[txcoastal1]

You have probably answered your own question...but a tube DAC would probably give some additional tweeks just from tube rolling my .02

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ac-New-Tube-DA

[soundfreak1]

The biggest bang for the buck I see to make a lg noticeable improvement in your system is your preamp. For under 500.00 you can really step the whole system up with a nice tube preamp, it would make a larger sound improvement with what you have over replacing any other single piece of your equipment!!! Than you can think amp, than your off to the races!!! But do the pre right it is the controller, no matter what you plug into it or what you plug it into the pre is going to manage your sound both upstream and downstream from it! I feel the preamp is the hub. Don't take me wrong each piece plays an important part and must all blend together but your amp "amplifies" your sources " send" , your speakers " reproduce" buy the preamp" controls" just. Mho.

[Ace944gs]

Thanks! DAC and tube pre are my two front runners. I hadn't really though of a tube DAC, but I'll start reading more about them.

My two front runners in those categories are the CA DACMagic and the Dared SL-2000A, both probably in used condition.

Any other recommendations?

[soundfreak1]

I did not mention the dared (I own one) because I am very partial to it but for the budget you mentioned I could not think of a better one I stream direct into the. Dared with fantistic results!! And what it did for my sys. Was simply incredible! The only down side is only 2 inputs. For me no prob.as that's all I use. Do be prepared to upgrade tubes which you read about in researching it. Other than that it will amaze you! Figure about 400 for the unit used and with the 100 left you can get some fantistic tubes and rec.

[audiocr381ve]

Grab yourself a nice DAC!

[polklore]

I would replace the preamp first. Try some vintage preamps.
Here's a good one, it's an integrated amp but you can use its preamp section.
I have one and paired with an Adcom 555. Sounds warm and smooth.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SANSUI-AU-999-SO...item1c1c89fbbb

Or

http://cgi.ebay.com/sansui-integrete...item1c1c7cfe6c

Then with the left over money get a dac.

BTW replace the small capacitors on your 535 as they then to leak over time. I would replace then with Elna Silmic II. It'll make your highs and mids alot smoother.

[cjmustang69]

I have recently purchased the Dared SL2000A preamp (largely based on several threads here in Polk Forum). I have no experience with tubes - but wanted to try a tube preamp in my system. I couldn't be more satisfied with its performance, once I changed original tubes. I believe you would see a nice upgrade to your system with the Dared..