What would you buy next?


Here's where I am at so far:
Mcintosh MC352
Tyler Acoustics PD-80's with built in sub amps
Monster 2100 power conditioner/powerbar
Mainly Monster IC's and speaker cable
Behringer DEQ2496
Harmon Kardon AVR7200
Harmon Kardon DVD25
Toshiba 72mx195 DLP HDTV

Due to lack of funds I have been using the HK AVR as a preamp and the DVD player as a CD player. The sound is a little forward unless I tame it with the EQ. I don't want to worry about any room treatment for now because I am moving in July. For the biggest sound improvement, which would you replace first, pre or source?

I listen to almost everything and like a warm sound. I am hoping you will all agree to replace the DVD with a CD player first simply because it will be less expensive. I am thinking tubes for the preamp when I do the swap.

Any suggestions?
Thank you.

Larry H
nuguy
Larry,
You are putting together a really nice system! How much do you have to spend on this next upgrade?
Howard
hi nuguy, could you do me a favor and define warm sound ?

i use the term and so do many others. i have a feeling that serious hobbyists have difffering concepts of warmth.

the source is the lowest level signal and should be replaced first. if you want a tube cd player, i believe the jolda is at the low end of tube cd players. there is also scott nixon's dac, in which case you could use your dvd player as a transport.
oops... a dollar figure WOULD help. I was hoping to stick below a thousand for a CD player. I realize a good used pre will run me between 2 and 3K, and I really shouldn't spend that much till I sell my house and know where I stand.

I've been thinking about a Cambridge azur 630c (I believe that's the right model, it's their highest end anyway), but I just don't know if it is really all that great or if I would hear much improvment.

What do you think?

Lar