Burning question regarding upgrading paths


Thanks visiting my thread!

While you are here, please ponder on the following queries and answer to the best of your abilities. Each of these questions is designed to upgrade my state of mind. You ability is timed and will be weighted against the answers given by people who are the same age as you.

1) What is the best way to upgrade existing system "A"?
(upgrade=more clarity, dynamics and better soundstage)
(you only have $2000 to allocate)

A= Cal Audio Delta-AQ Emeralds
Meridian 518-Mapleshade ultrathin
Cal Audio Sigma-AQ Emeralds
Aragon 8002-AQ Argent/Midnight double biwire
KEF 103/4
LAT International on all electronic components

A) Upgrade DAC
A dac with tube output is prefered.
B) Purchase preamp
A tube preamp is prefered.
C) Upgrade cable between amp and speaker
Silver cable is prefered.
D) Digital cable
Make me a believer.
E) None of the above
Sell system A and start over
F) I don't care.

2) What is the fundamental utilitarian purpose of Zen Buddhism for the self and for the masses?

A) By fulfilling nature, man is fulfilled.
B) By acceptance of thought, man becomes congruent.
C) By meditating, man negates yin and yan from consciousness.
D) Meditation is good cardiovascular exercise.
E) Zen is derived from aryan caste systems designed to enslave the masses.
F) None of the above. (prove short essay answer?)

Stop, your test is finished.

Thanks for helping me sleep easier,
Etane
viggen
1. Buy a Supratek Syrah preamp, save for a better amp.
2. "utilitarian": chop wood, carry water.
"utilitarian" and non-utilitarian: (silence)
I'm skipping the questions. I believe that you have to have quality power and your room treated, before you will ever be able to hear the real sonic differences of gear and cables.
Start over, reformulation, start from foundation, structural and philosophical purity....

All components connected to Rotel AC filter via LAT AC2 power cord.
6chac, how do you do that when I have an integrated amp now? And, nope, it doesn't have a bypass function or direct inputs to the amp section. BTW, I never had a preamp: the dac went straight into the amp. But, I see what you mean. It doesn't matter how you go about what you want to accomplish as long as you get it. A very round about way yet straight to the point at the same time. Gotcha.