what to upgrade

Upgrading a system like this is a complex undertaking. As has been stated, your system is balanced, components all basically on the same level. I don't see any of the suggestions offered up as being wrong, just a matter of philosophy. I would like to serve up another for consideration. In my opinion, your next upgrade should set the table for what it is you want your system to eventually become. I feel it should be a significant step up from what you currently have. Make it as long term an upgrade as possible. I always think the weakest link should be upgraded, one which can make the most overall improvement. I would upgrade your preamp. I would spend as much as you have in your budget to buy the best preamp you like. One that really takes you up at least two levels. Some suggestions(depending on your tastes and budget) would be Air Tight, Audible Illusions, Audio Research, Blue Circle(really love these), Cary, Electrocompaniet, Jadis, Mark Levinson, Musical Fidelity, Rogue, YBA, etc. The other components in your system will not hung out to dry with this strategy. In the future you may want to upgrade the weakest link to the same level as the new preamp you choose. Good luck!

I second Sean's concept, and I second the other posters' suggestions. 1st get the last ounce of what you have, damping, compenents decoupling, etc are inexpensive and effective. THEN, work on components. Great ideas already mentioned, although I would go first w/ source -- BUT sdcampbell has experienced yr speakers and I have not!

Good luck, you'll enjoy getting there!

Like some others here, I think the speakers are the LAST thing to upgrade. And I wouldn't upgrade a preamp if I only had funds to upgrade one component. First thing to upgrade is your power amp; then your CD player. You should look into getting a CD player that can connect directly into your power amp so you can skip the preamp stage altogether. Really, the speakers are the last to consider. You won't believe how big a difference the power amp and even the interconnects and speaker cables will make in the same speakers. Your speakers are decent. Just my opinion!

I'd start with seriously considering Trelja's comments, Ampzilla. Think about where you want to go with your system over time. However, I agree with South_park and Sdcampbell that a change in your speakers will give you the most immediate and noticeable improvement. If you like your Vandersteen 1's, the 2Ce's will make a very significant improvement in the sound of your system. Your amplifier will easily support the upgrade. The 2Ce's will allow your to tell you a whole lot more about what you're hearing (or not hearing) from the other components in your system, and they will well support improvements you then consider for your front-end. The 1's are nice speakers, but I don't think you will fully appreciate the other changes being recommended to you until you can hear those changes through speakers comparable to the 2Ce's.

thank you all very much.im not a firm believer in racks and cables and wires,to improve on the sound.but the room treatments is a great idea,i mean your gear always sounds soo great at the store,then once home somethings missing,or something else is there.great advice,thanks,oh by the way,i have some tara labs cheapo rca's for my cd player,and some really basic monster cables for the amp to preamp(dont laugh,please!)lol!mostly i listen to newer music,meaning not classical.50's and 60's rock,of all kinds,particularly cream,and the beatles,i like a lot of 80's and 90's music,such as,oasis.the verve,stuff like that,kinda melow english rock i guess?and finally to 311,and sublime.once again,dont laugh.i know most of you probably listen to calssical,or that sort of music,wich i do like,just dont own.i find that bands like 311 have a lot of detail and power in there music,compared to other popish bands.my room is aprox 15x15'but only 3 walls,it opens into the kitchen,probably bad for the sound,difraction,hmm another great reason for treatments,traps,ect.my amp and preamp are very far appart.but my cd player is right under my preamp,i can hear you shuddering at the thought!there in a built in entertainment center,so a rack wouldnt really fit anyway,the damn things fastened to the wall good.and if you havent guess i live in an appartment : (.thanks again everyone,i really value all the input!!!davezilla,oops i meen dave : )