I will throw my hat into the ring here to agree with Stehno, Bob Bundus and the other posters here advocating a look at power. Over the past two years, I have bought absolutely no new equipment, concentrating strictly on isolation/support and power tweaks (primarily power cords and receptacles-I already had what I consider to be a very good line conditioner in terms of the overall configuration of my system.) Even with very low cost equipment, the benefits derived from addressing these power issues are IMMENSE,leading to a tremendous reduction in sibilance and stridency and numerous other benefits in my system, and as Stehno has pointed out, very cost effective in the overall scheme of things. I do not have dedicated lines, but do utilize floated grounds in my system, decent (but not outrageously expensive power cords) and high quality receptacles-absolutely the biggest bang for the $$$ in my opinion). I will say that, unequivocally, you are not hearing what your system, regardless of cost, can do unless you address these issues.
As for Natalie, well, if I can't say anything nice about him, perhaps I should say nothing at all.
As for Natalie, well, if I can't say anything nice about him, perhaps I should say nothing at all.