What should I upgrade next?


I want to spend about 1,000-1,500 but I do not know where start. Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Current system:
Preamp\ Adcom GTP 500II
Amp\ 1-NAD 2700 & 1 NAD 2600a
CD\ Nakamichi CDC 3A
EQ\ Numark 2250
Sub\ Velodyne ULD 15II
Speakers\ ADS M12
speaker wires Exos 6003w
IC\ Audioquest Turquise, Monster interlink 850 and Esoterik airlitz Tech.1

I am thinking of a Bat VK20 tube pre amp or Maggie 1.6 or 2.6R speakers. Maybe audiorevelution IC? I look to spend about $1500 twice a year in this hobby.

thanks help good or bad I can take it.
lance328
You are going to get a number of different opinions in response to your question, but in a situation like yours I usually advise people to upgrade their speakers first. Some people will advise starting at the "front end" with a new preamp or better source components, but if the speaker is the choke point you won't hear the improvements upstream. The Maggie 1.6's are a fine speaker, and are sufficiently revealing that they will reveal later improvements in your other components. After you upgrade your speakers, I think your very nice change should be to the preamp -- the Adcom GTP-500II was, at best, only an adequate preamp (certainly not up to the standard set of Adcom's GFP-565), and there are many better preamps on the market now for a reasonable price.
I would replace the speakers. I have noticed a trend in the Audio magazines which have recommended systems, they often have $1000 - $2000 integrated amps driving speakers that cost $3000 - $5000. The speakers (and how they integrate into your room) are still the weakest link in the stereo chain. Maybe this says something about the quality of todays amplifiers too but, I stand by my recommendation.
I would change the wire last.
speakers. you might even take a years budget and buy some really good ones. you will never be able to detect the other chages in your system if the speakers cannot play it.

imo
Jim