What would you upgrade next?

I'm with Bob--the preamp is likely a big, if not the biggest, weak link in your system. The good news is you can buy a high-end stereo preamp and just plug the front L/R outs from the B&K into any line-level input on the stereo preamp(the Pioneer also goes into the stereo preamp, which is obviously connected to the McCormack). This way for critical 2-channel listening you're only using the stereo preamp, but you can still use the B&K for movies/surround music--best of both worlds.

Also high on my list, although well behind the preamp, would be to mod the Pioneer(talk to someone like Ric Schultz at EVS, Stan Warren, Dan Wright, etc.) that will clean things up quite a bit, and also sending the McCormack to Smcaudio for the Rev. A mod.

If you're happy with your speakers I think these three upgrades would make major improvements, although again I'd definately start with the preamp. For what it's worth and best of luck.

Tim

Keep the Monster, and buy a Preamp dedicated for music that has a HT pass through...I am doing this and just bought a Sonic Frontiers Line 1, and am amazed how much better it is for 2 channel than my Lexicon DC1. Then again, if your a die hard HT guy, and don't listen to a lot of music then forget what i just said and keep what you got and send me the$$$$;)

Thanks to everyone so far for your suggestions.

Vader, I assume your Sunfire suggestion would be for the ATI as I can't imagine it bettering the McCormack.

Bob, I realize that the Reference 30 is not the highest level pre/pro but it seems to get fairly favorable reviews so I am surprised you feel so strongly that it is out of place. I run the Pioneer's 6-channel analog outs through the analog inputs where no processing is performed, only volume control. I assumed this would be a fairly clean signal. Do you think otherwise? Also, see Tim's response as well. Do you think this setup would yield significant improvement?

Lthkeepr, Point well taken on room acoustics. I am finishing my basement and everything is moving downstairs. I will finally be able to position everything in the proper location as well as be able to allow for acoustic treatment. Wives are funny about putting acoustic material in the living room! My local shop has a demo MCS on sale for $1400. I had already considered upgrading but wasn't sure if more improvement would come from other changes. I think I'll bring it home for a demo!

Tim, I also like your idea as it lets me still use the processor and all of it's distance, loudness, and notch filtering for movies. Have you seen the new McCormack 6-channel preamp? I have read about it but didn't know how much improvement this would add. I think this would allow pass-through for all multi-channel formats, not just 2-channel. Would this accomplish the improvement your thinking I need?

Damn--forgot with the Pioneer you're likely running a 6-channel output. The McCormack preamp will likely work, but whether it'll be a significant improvement would be the big question. I had the McCormack RLD-1 stereo preamp in my system for a while and it's a good preamp but I thought a tiny bit veiled relative to some other high-end preamps I've had in my system. I'd say give it a try, and if it yields a good improvement and allows you to do the 6-channel thing it might be a good move. Definitely find a dealer who will let you demo it in your system at home before you commit.

If 2-channel is still your priority(over multichannel music) it still may be worthwhile to check out some other stereo preamps to see what they can do for your system. It might be a good idea to do that anyway just so you have that as a reference point for comparison. I don't know how much you want to spend, but I like preamps from Pass Labs and Ayre. Marsh makes an excellent preamp at around $1000(P2000) if you can find one to demo, and Placette(passive, but should work well with McCormack, but Pioneer would need to put out 2 volts for this to work) makes some kick ass preamps that you can demo for 30 days risk free. Just some options if you didn't already have some in mind. Hope this helped.

Tim

I can only adise you from a 2 channel perspective. I would upgrade the B&K.