Which Component Needs to be Upgraded First

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.

They are heavy on the bass as your amp is slow and not controling the woofers in your speaker. A Belles Ref 150 amp will take care of that while the Monarchy amps not as much. The SE160's will control the bass far better then your ST140 however.

I did find a little midrange suckout in the Khorus speaker that the Monarchy amp match well with as the amps have a rich and wonderful midrange.

What is more important to you - better bass control or more midrange presence and treble smoothness. The Belles is also smooth on top and more transparent than the Monarchy. I just think the Monarchy amps have a wonderful tube amp sound without the hassle of numerous large output tubes.

Both amps are great, but your sonic goals are most important.