Always start by getting the most out of the system you have. When you can afford to upgrade components, then you still want to get the most out of them.
For the most part, I believe that "grunge" and noise are additive. It comes from all parts of the signal chain, starting of course with the components of the recording system (some recordings are much cleaner, more dynamic and musical than others) continuing with your source, cables, power, electronics, speakers and room. Faults, flaws and especially non-linearities, along the way add "grunge" which obscures the otherwise dark and spatious background into which musical notes decay.
My point is this: improvements can be made even with imperfect equipment. You may be able to make significant improvements in percieved dynamics by removing some of that "grunge."
There have been some good suggestions in this thread regarding room issues and speaker placement. Another very import potential improvement is in the area of vibration control. The idea is to prevent vibration from your speakers from getting into your room through the floor or wall shelf, etc. Keeping the floors and walls from vibrating can yield impressive gains in the depth, dynamics and "PRAT" of the music. So experiment with some stans, or other concepts for speaker vibration isolation. More refined improvements can be made be keeping that vibration away from your components, even cables. So give it a try, and see what you can do for free.
Charlie
PS: BTW, when it comes to vibration of components, there was a great design for component stands contributed in a different thread ("Here's How I Make My Equipment Racks") by Caterham1700 *Thankyou Caterham1700* which you might try.
For the most part, I believe that "grunge" and noise are additive. It comes from all parts of the signal chain, starting of course with the components of the recording system (some recordings are much cleaner, more dynamic and musical than others) continuing with your source, cables, power, electronics, speakers and room. Faults, flaws and especially non-linearities, along the way add "grunge" which obscures the otherwise dark and spatious background into which musical notes decay.
My point is this: improvements can be made even with imperfect equipment. You may be able to make significant improvements in percieved dynamics by removing some of that "grunge."
There have been some good suggestions in this thread regarding room issues and speaker placement. Another very import potential improvement is in the area of vibration control. The idea is to prevent vibration from your speakers from getting into your room through the floor or wall shelf, etc. Keeping the floors and walls from vibrating can yield impressive gains in the depth, dynamics and "PRAT" of the music. So experiment with some stans, or other concepts for speaker vibration isolation. More refined improvements can be made be keeping that vibration away from your components, even cables. So give it a try, and see what you can do for free.
Charlie
PS: BTW, when it comes to vibration of components, there was a great design for component stands contributed in a different thread ("Here's How I Make My Equipment Racks") by Caterham1700 *Thankyou Caterham1700* which you might try.