What was the most impactful addition to your system?

Honestly, I am an old fart as well. The last fifty years I have had quite a few jaw drop moments.

My first piece of audiophile gear: a 7 year old Nakamichi tapedeck that absolutely blew away the sound of my highly reviewed Onkyo (now I realized mid-hi, but that was not how advertised).

First audiophile amp… Threshold s500… 1979 (in todays dollars $18,800) there was nothing else on the market like it.

‘’First digital cable swap… “this cannot make a difference”… but like someone upgraded the components… ~1987

My first high end turntable (VPI Aries / Van den Hull Frog) 1989

My first high power tube amp ARC Reference 160s (2020)

My first really good speakers Sonus Fabre Amati Traditional. (2020)

When I plugged it in, last night. I swapped and went to a pair of PSVANE ART series12AX7 in a just repaired C2500. 2 hours later I was impressed. They sounded better than my humpty dumpty pair of Blackburns. I didn’t try them in my C20 but WOW. I’m a Telefunken, Mullard Blackburn or certed BP RCAs guy.

These are a dynamic valve and very closely matched. That could be my supplier. Excellent matching on his part. He actually checks ALL his valves..

PSVANE ART series ++++ I’d like to try them in a power amp pre section.. I got a good feeling here.

My McIntosh MC302 amp.  I was using a McIntosh MC152 amp prior and my system sounded really good.   when I set up the MC302, there was no comparison. The bass seemed to dig so much further, mid bass tightened up and the sense of ease and flow to the music was unmistakable. 

 a year ago I put IsoAcoustic Gaia footers on my speakers. Slam dunk the biggest non component upgrade ever.

Lessloss firewall for loudspeakers…. A must!