If you had $2000 to upgrade this system...

Thanks to all for your generous giving of time and ideas. Feedback has definitely helped me understand how I would structure upgrades. I'm thinking analog first (phono stage right now), speakers next (subs because I do love the Forests), digital last (things really sound great even now). I guess it's an iterative process. Totally new CDP or transport/DAC would be easiest (lowest risk from my perspective). Totally new speakers (higher efficiency but still 2 way??) or new TT/cart seem more prone to buyer's remorse. These would be further down the road if ever.

Funny - when I first started posting on A'gon I thought I knew something about audio. I certainly had (and still have) a lot to learn. Thanks for all the help in my education.

Funny how we all forget about the room.
I could only imagine how different the same gear would sound in
say an:
livingroom
basement suite
basement suite with cement walls
above with carpeted floors
hardwood floors ect.
As Alan Parsons said,pro audio guys prioritize the room,where the HiFi world prioritizes the gear,brand names.
I had done the same,gear first,components cables ect.
For me the hugest difference was treating the room,starting with basstraps in the corners really tightened up the bottom end thus cleaning up everything above.
I believe Two grand in room acoustics would make a major change for the better than any component,cable ect.

Just something else to think about as I've been down that road over and over again.
The room is so big compared to our gear that we can't see it
even though it's bigger than anything else.
Kinda like wearing horse blinders,we just see or hear what's in front of us and not around us.

good luck on the hunt.

Drummer - Thanks for your input but really haven't forgotten the room. Have spent a lot of time experimenting with speaker placement trying to optimize in an admittedly not ideal room. Also, see comments to Mapman. Will likely get more serious about "store bought" acoustic treatment if/when I move into a larger listening area. Am hoping to incorporate acoustic prep during the actual rennovation of that space.

FWIW - just pulled the trigger on a HEED QUASAR phono pre-amp.

Thanks for the update. Please let us know how it works out. Inquiring minds want to know. ;)

Bob