Help wanted spending money and improving my system.


I’ve got the upgrade itch and would like feedback on what piece should be replaced or what should be added.  If this system was yours, which piece would you replace and what would you buy as a replacement or what would you add to improve the sound/experience.  I’m not considering replacing my cabling at this point in time.  Please, 1 item only.  So, what would you add or replace?  I’m very happy with what I’ve put together, but I’ve got the itch, and scratching is not enough!!  Current system:  Carver Crimson amp, Primaluna Dialogue preamp, Schiit Yggdrasil D/A, Schiit Lokius equalizer, Jays CD player Mk III, Oppo 103 (for SACD only) Thorens TD145 with Ortofon 2M Bronze, M&K V75 sub, Klipsch R-15 sub, Roon Nucleus, Mac mini server (for iTunes) and Goldenear Triton References, home made bass traps.


128x128fastninja12
All good stuff but nothing stellar and maybe this is why you have the upgrade itch. Maybe also integrate and simplify. 
Maybe get a really good preamp with a stepped attenuator. The Primaluna, while being a decent preamp, has a Alps attenuator. While, not bad, it's not stellar. Go for the preamp as if it will be the last one you buy. Everything plugs into the preamp...so you will get an improvement everywhere.

Consider a full function preamp:
You could also get a preamp (luxman or McIntosh) that includes a decent DAC, phono and some EQ functions and clean things up.
The question I have is ... why would one spend money to upgrade equipment when one hasn’t gotten the best from the equipment one already owns? Following are some suggestions that will help a total system perform at its best:

In addition to the SR HFT’s and the new SR Purple fuses that I recommended in my above post that the moderators found reason to remove, I also recommend the following products THAT HAVE WORKED FOR ME.

1. Hallograph Soundfield Optimizer by Shakti. I have four of them, one in each corner of the room. An amazing product of flimsy build quality that really makes a difference in getting your room under control.
https://www.thecableco.com/hallograph.html
https://www.shakti-innovations.com/hallograph.htm

2. Sound Application Power Conditioner. Originally very expensive (4300.), they can be found on the used market for around 1/4 of the original price. An outstanding product that helps clean up the power. In addition to the power conditioner, you will also need a 20 amp power cord, so try to get the seller to throw that in as well.
https://skyfiaudio.com/products/sound-application-xe-12-power-conditioner
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/revequip/soundapplication_xe12s.htm

3. Herbie’s Tube Dampeners. These innovative devices reduce micro-vibrations in your vacuum tubes. They are MUCH better than the stock ones supplied with ARC electronics.
https://herbiesaudiolab.com/blogs/info/tube-microphonics-vibrations

4. Perfect Path Technologies products. While no longer in business, PPT put out a lot of innovative products. You’ll have to look at the used market for them at this point. Highly recommended are their Omega "Plus" mats.
Also, if you can find a PPT "Gate" on the used market at a good price, snap it up. It originally sold for $5,000 retail, but it was like an upgrade to the system that would have cost many times that amount.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/new-omega-e-mat-from-perfect-path-technologies
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/perfect-path-tecnologies-the-gate

5. Maple Shade Maple platforms for use under speakers that are on a raised foundation. These made an overall improvement, especially in the bass region. And of course, if you can control the bass, everything else seems to improve right along with it. The unfinished ones are the most affordable, and they are what I use. The platforms are spiked through the carpet, then the speakers are spiked to the platforms.
https://www.mapleshadestore.com/airdriedmapleplatforms.php

That’s it for now.

Frank
Fastninja, you have a very nice hi-fi system! It probably sounds about as good as it’s ever going to already. Why not send a generous donation to a worthy charity. There are a lot of people in need these days for a lot of different reasons then sit back and enjoy the music with your newfound satisfaction.
+1 @oregonpapa 

Try as many tweaks as you can (based on your budget, space and patience level) before making such a big decision, otherwise you risk "throwing out the baby with bathwater."

Personally I tried a similar do it yourself solution for controlling speaker vibrations. I reluctantly switched to the Iso Acoustics Gaia footers for my speakers and I was stunned by the positive improvements. Like any specific tweak, you'll have multiple products to choose from no matter what component or issue that you choose to tweak. Good luck with your process.