Which Component Needs to be Upgraded First

I have found conditioners to degrade sound and limit current/dynamics. I would have to say spend that money on direct 20 amp lines to your room before a line conditioner.
Also get a decent power cord.

I know many differ on opinions of power conditioners, so this is just my experience.

An Environmental Potentials EP-2050 AC filter/surge suppressor installed at your service panel will clean the AC to your entire house, and it will not limit current or dynamics.

At $500 (plus about $150 installation) it's also less expensive than the majority of audiophile power conditioners.

Most interesting. I will check this out. Never seen this before?

Environmental Potentials EP-2050.

Grannyring, you are so right. Ironically, I put a Zhaolu DAC behind the Sony CDP. I learned about it from Head-Fi.org, another favorite site of mine. Wow, that is so cool that you also owned the B&K ST-140 and the Talon Khorous X speakers. Mike Farnsworth of Talon Audio took care of me and re-did the cross-over network on the speakers. I was sorry to hear that he had trouble with his business and sold. I will follow the broads for the Monarchy amps. What makes them so special when mated with the Talon's? I find the Talons to be heavy on bass and mid-bass. You didn't find that to be the case? I thank you for your insight.