What, if any, component to upgrade? Advice?

Thanks for all the advice all. Some updates:

1. I have vibration controls on both speaker and components in the form of mollytoes and pods.

2. It looks as if a DAC is the first thing I'll invest in. Ironically, I had a Creek OBH-14 DAC for years. When I got the Sophia, it seemed as if I didn't need it, so I sold it off. Live and learn.

3. I'm loathe to give up the Sophia. I bought it off audiogon; shipped it off to the Sophia headquarters in Virgina to have the caps and IEC upgraded and new tubes. I love how warm and bloomy it sounds.

4. No one has mentioned the speakers. Should I get better monitors?

Thank you again

Hi,

In all honesty, I'm not going to invest in power conditioning or dedicated lines. I have my components on a Salamander rack, as I've always had, for the cd transport and a Mapleshade block for the amp. I truly appreciate the way-more-diverse-than-I'm-used-to advice on power conditioning and room treatments and such, but if I'm going to replace a part, it's going to be a component. I mean, I know enough about standing waves, diffraction, and such to use walls, corners, spacing, potted plants, etc. to enhance the sound.

So, it looks as if the amp is what most are saying to replace with one with a higher wattage. Okay. Sounds good. I'm somewhat surprised that the Rotel wasn't the first to go. Does a better CD player make that much of a difference?

Thank you as always,

s

Loomis - i do have a good old ML Descent; unfortunately, the Sophia doesn't have a sub/pre-out. But good call on that one, though.

Mik - thanks for the advice on the Rotel. I'd heard raves about it before I bought it and snapped one up when it came up on Agon. I think I'll be going the DAC route after all. Thank you for helping solidify that decision.

simao