I'll try a real answer this time
Going backward in time *rather than arbitrarily trying to assign levels to each)
Most recent: Upping the Digital game buying a new DAC (really a SACD player, but it's main interest to me is the DAC in it. Really takes CD to a new better level, not even delivered yet. waiting.)
New Speakers just a few weeks ago. These two items cost a lot. but are a new beginning in better sound. I have to say all the supporting equipment had to be there first to find much in the upgrade now.
Last year and year before buying way better interconnects.
I have to give shout out to the dealer, who said skip a new amp(s) with new speakers, as mine is just fine. He was right. I could have gone lateral and spent a lot for not good reason!
Then a long gap. No new stuff for years. All the way back to 2010/2011 when I bought a lot of new gear. And got further into good power conditioning.
With such big improvements, it seems foolish to write about little ones right now.
Maybe after a few months with the new gear I may find some small things that make a difference..
Between 2010/2011 and now, the main thing was wires. powercords and IC. I made some mistakes mainly due to fear of spending more. I wasted money on halfway measures, particularly the fear of spending $3000 for one IC pair.7m Kimber KS1116 from preamp to amp. When if I had just jumped off the deep end I would have saved $1000 easy over trying to go partway.
(one reason I can today jump to a $7000 SACD player is remembering that mistake. And just jumping off the cliff as I know it is the right thing I need.)
Going backward in time *rather than arbitrarily trying to assign levels to each)
Most recent: Upping the Digital game buying a new DAC (really a SACD player, but it's main interest to me is the DAC in it. Really takes CD to a new better level, not even delivered yet. waiting.)
New Speakers just a few weeks ago. These two items cost a lot. but are a new beginning in better sound. I have to say all the supporting equipment had to be there first to find much in the upgrade now.
Last year and year before buying way better interconnects.
I have to give shout out to the dealer, who said skip a new amp(s) with new speakers, as mine is just fine. He was right. I could have gone lateral and spent a lot for not good reason!
Then a long gap. No new stuff for years. All the way back to 2010/2011 when I bought a lot of new gear. And got further into good power conditioning.
With such big improvements, it seems foolish to write about little ones right now.
Maybe after a few months with the new gear I may find some small things that make a difference..
Between 2010/2011 and now, the main thing was wires. powercords and IC. I made some mistakes mainly due to fear of spending more. I wasted money on halfway measures, particularly the fear of spending $3000 for one IC pair.7m Kimber KS1116 from preamp to amp. When if I had just jumped off the deep end I would have saved $1000 easy over trying to go partway.
(one reason I can today jump to a $7000 SACD player is remembering that mistake. And just jumping off the cliff as I know it is the right thing I need.)