BEST UPGRADE regardless of cost?

Shakti-sonic hollgraph's- After 30 years as an enthusiast, these devices are the best upgrade I've ever made. Makes one realize just how critical the room acoustics are-and may stop one from the "endless" componment upgrade path. They are just staggering in their ability to create a lifelike stage in one's room. C

The room. Design and treatments from Rives Audio made a tremendous improvement.

Got to go with Sgr on this one. We are talking cost no object. Well that be some VERY serious $$.

I have to agree with the others concerning the source equiptment. Upgrading the turntable or even a CD player can work wonders. Of course all the equiptment must intergrate well with each other. If anyone wants to try a 'new' source component, may I suggest 4 track open reel factory pre-recorded tapes. This is real analog.

The best way to improve any electronic device is to improve the electrons upon which it feeds. Just as a Porsche 911 turbo will likely disappoint someone fueling it with kerosene, so most high end source components will disappoint anyone fueling them with the 120v hash they call power in North America. Put in a dedicated line for your system (20 amps minimum) before you give up on it. Now here's the "regardless of cost" upgrade. Buy the Burmester 948 power conditioner. It's the only one that truly improves the sound of equipment uniformly across the board. But it costs $6500. Every other "conditioner" is really a filter.
While room treatment is essential, if the singer is a dog, how better to hear her rabid salivations than the slap echo from your credit card?