Advise please for best system upgrade under $2,000

i dont know about the room treatment.....yet....would save as a last resort "if needed". btw, i use asc tube traps but only where needed.

would get suggest the highest resolution possible...it all starts at the source,pre,amp, speakers...high quality cable ties the whole thing together..if you havent tried high quality cables, try auditoning some from fatwyre (including power cables)or audience ( they have a great audition policy-i think you will be surprised by the difference of good power cables)

generally speaking...balance is a good thing to shoot for..the system is only good as the weakest link..adding a equalization to low res cables, pre, and source doesnt make that much sense(adding a band-aid)

you have extremely good speakers and a very good amp..i do agree that adding more money sometimes doesnt make sense- there is a point of diminishing returns. however there are certain products that offer superior / musical performance for a very reasonable price..

until you have a chance to try a great tube pre and source with good cables that can communicate the emotion unscathed... then.....

a good audio buddy of mine pooh-poohed the idea of pricey cables ( xlo signature 2, cardas neutral, and power cords)until he heard them in "his system"...it didnt sound the same..there was a increase in bass, dynamics, realism, and lsitenability. the difference of the power cords in his system alone was staggering.. needless to say his next step is upgrading ic and power cords.

i am sorry to say, when it comes to pre-amps. good ones(new) start at $2500-$4000, hence it makes sense to buy a good used one. great ic's start at $650(new) and go for $300-$400 used..power cords same gig...new start at $450 and $240 used...

i am not advising to overspend or buy $$$ gear but buy very good musical gear at the price point that is affordable...

Put roller balls under your CDP. Lots of threads at audioasylum. You can make your own for under $100 and have some fun in the process.

Mikesinger, You say you should start at the source first, consider the room the first place to start. Treat the room as a component and the first one at that. I know it's difficult to imagine a room having so much impact on the music but it does and people that have approached the room as a component will tell you don't underestimate the room, very powerful thing!
Why keep handicaping your equipment, we give our amps dedicated lines, we give our source components some type of conditioning, we install all kind of cones, maple platforms, etc, etc, why not treat the room, it's the same thing but a bigger picture. I'm sure you have had your share of components through your system and some you like and some you don't, but can you honestly say that you gave that certain component a 100% fair chance to prove it's worth in your system? I know this can be debated for ever but you may want to consider giving the room a bit more priority.

I've never tried to give advice before so take this into consideration.

A have a wavelength cosine v DAC with built in volume control. I have found this to be as good as running separate DAC and Pre amps ( AI3a). I noticed a cosine transendental for sale at 1950. This might be better than many combinations of other DACs and pre-amps you might partner.

Another of infinite combinations that I would condsider is the Encore pyramid DAC.( 575) I have a ovation that is similar.
They are capable of creating depth with the right accompanying equiptment.
For a tube preamp you might consider the Art Audio for 995.
I have heard this at a dealer. I have never owned it, but I would imagine that it would be comparable to most tubed preamps ( AI, VTL, SF etc )

Well, what I did was uprgrade to tubes, a VTL 2.5 tubed preamp with a ss Aragon amp. The effect is stunning and just what I was looking for, more satisfactory mid-bass and midrange and more essence and presence in the music. I think I still need to pay attention to my room and the interactions, that's next. Thanks for all your help.