On the point of spending on peripherals, Yes you need IC and AC upgrades. But not neccessarily the same time. My efforts have been to buy the best I can afford, then the next phase of spending after I paid off the junk I just bought, is the accessories to top notch. Then back to the most important item.. upgrade..
So eight years ago I bought new amp, preamp, speakers. Over the next few years I bought power conditioners, power cords, IC.. Then this year I upgraded the speakers, and a DAC for the main items. And added in some AC duplex.
So my new way better speakers had the stuff they needed to sound good right off. And I know as I upgrade other bits, the whole will get better too.
So eight years ago I bought new amp, preamp, speakers. Over the next few years I bought power conditioners, power cords, IC.. Then this year I upgraded the speakers, and a DAC for the main items. And added in some AC duplex.
So my new way better speakers had the stuff they needed to sound good right off. And I know as I upgrade other bits, the whole will get better too.