How do I know what my system's

Double wow for the additional advice.

I knew somebody was going to start talking about tubes. Well, I'm totally ignorant on that subject, just know there's a cult following. By all means, recommend a tube preamp and I'll check my local dealers for a loaner or something. But no doubt it's only a short step from there to a tube power amp, and eventually I'll have tubes coming out of the light sockets.

I forgot to mention that I sorta doubt my CD player is much of a weak link, either. I kinda think the Arcam CD23 kicks ass. Maybe it's bright, but the gain in clarity and immediacy (I heard it directly compared to several other models in the price range) was more than worth it.

I'm still leaning toward playing with a used amp; just looking around Audiogon there seem to be tons of options for 2 grand or under. The brands I tend to notice, for whatever reason (I guess because they get talked about more) are these: Bryston, Krell, Classe, Sim, Levinson, and PS. Well, Levinson is too pricey. But if anybody is bonkers for, say, Krells, or Sims or Classe, feel free to let me know. (I understand more power isn't necessarily good if it's sucky power, but these brands don't really suck, do they?) Some used items I'm eyeing right now are:

Krell KAV 2250
Krell KAV 250a (what would be the difference?)
Krell KSA 150 (originally $5000, now $1600, why?)
Classe CA-200, 201 or 301
Sim Audio Moon W-5
Bryston 4B-ST or SST

Thanks again!

Ok, If you have some extra money....Spend it on treating the room...This is you best investment...

Yeah Etbaby has a good point.....either room treatment or a DEQ2496 might do much more than a new amp

Room treatment...is there like an 800 number for that?

It's not a bad room. Carpet, wood panels, windows with blinds, and I'm using a couple tube traps for the first reflection. And I have my equipment fairly isolated in a recessed space behind the speakers.

But maybe a snappier paint color would do the trick. Egg shell or satin???

i owned a classe dr 6 pre amp a number of years ago. i was impressed with the soundstage, resolution and depth. however, i found it dry sounding. i sold it within 3 months after i bought it.

i admit to preferring tube electronics, but it is possible you might want to upgrade your preamp, if you have any issues with the performance of your stereo system.

if you are satisfied with the "tonality" of your stereo system, so be it. otherwise, you might consider trying a tube preamp.