First "audiophile" system, now what? Suggestions for best "bang for the buck" upgrade?

Thanks for the compliment, I needed that. I put together this system over the last 6 months and the whole proces has been wrought with anxiety and second guessing. I don't have the luxury of a brick and motor store to listen and compare equipment, so all of my ideas came from looking at what was listed on Audiogon, then reading reviews, which then mention other equipment, so maybe something else is good, so read about that, then read a conflicting review, then try to read between the lines. Hours and hours and hours of late night research (I'm guessing most here can relate to), then finally having the guts to make a buy and hoping when it arrives that you get what you thought you were getting. 

I do know that my records and CDs (and FLAC files) sound very, very good. Well mastered vinyl sounds as good or better than digital files on this setup, and it all sounds really, really good and looks cool (which is part of the equation for me). So I'm happy......but what about a better needle?.....then better speakers?.....then better tuntable?...then power supply, then cables, and DAC?... Once its is sounding as good as I've got right now, then the rest will be just more fun. And money.

Thanks for all the good advice.

Etwilley,

Loved reading your post above.  You're right.  The vast majority of us who care enough about audiophilia have walked the same road that you are now on.  You did the research, you took that absorbing path leading to a purchase.  As good as your system sounds now, and I have no doubt of its musicality, if you are like most of us, you WILL walk farther down the road as your listening experiences reveal how much better it can get.  I speak from recent experience after making my first speaker purchase in 22 years.  Until I experienced my new transducers with my system I never would have known how good it can get.  I WAS satisfied with my other speakers for all of those years until these babies burned in.  I hope you get to have such moments of aural surprise as you continue to realize what's possible.  Enjoy the journey!

There's never enough money is there.
So if you want amazing speaker cables on the cheap you could try what I did. I had a whole lot of used Cat5 cable (saw a good review of measured outputs of various cables) get six Cat5 cables for each speaker 25% longer than your needs. Twist two together x3. Then braid those three twisted pair. The real diy fun is separating the dark from light at both ends, striping, and attaching banana plugs. Be sure to purchase a continuity tester ($15) to make sure a stray wire didn't cross over (do this before you attach banana plugs) plus it's an amazing work out in your wrists. You'll look like Popeye when you're done. 
I am also impressed that there are a lot of guys out there keeping the cost down on amazing equipment like Sandy Gross with his Goldenear speakers. I also wanted the most bang for the buck for cheap. 
PrimaLuna Prologic integrated tube amp, Sony HapS1, and Goldenear Triton Ones, my homemade cables, power conditioner, and good power cords. The variations and recommendations are endless so enjoy YOUR journey. 

How is the imaging? Top to bottom? Left to right, front to back?

In whichever dimension that is lacking, add diffusers and absorbers.

Best,

Erik

ewilley, You have been given a lot to think about in the above posts, for sure! I would add the fabulous Spin-Clean record system for about $100. Then try to find the right dish drainer (I bought a cool bamboo one at Target) to finish air drying your records as you wash more. 

I recently bought a used ultra-sonic record cleaner. I had been thinking about upgrading a fantastic MM cart that cost me $1,200 for an MC cart in the range of two to three grand. But, wow, running my seemingly clean disks through my new machine has been a huge sonic upgrade to my analog front end! The Spin-Clean may not be quite the system as my Audiodesk Systeme, but it will get you most of the way there and I guarantee it will be about the best $100 improvement you can make in what already is a very promising system.