Need Advice on Downsizing :-

If you sell CD-player you will break the main -- music!!!
You should definitely downsize your preamp for the simplier model or integrated instead of separates.
As far as I know you can use passive preamp(something like Pass Aleph P or even cheaper McCormack Line Drive) instead.
For integrated the good choice will be Pathos Twin Towers(used) or if you want to drive harder you can get Plinius 8100.
It would be definitely a major heartbreak if you start thinking of downsizing speakers...

I would sell the Nordost cables first as there are many good cables for a fraction of their cost. Same with the Cardas. I'm not familar with the speaker cable, but that may be a good item to sell as well. Your system does not appear to have much need for the DVD player unless you have invested in a lot of music DVDs (you're not using this system for HT are you?). Of course you can play CD's on the DV-09 so you might keep it and sell the YBA unless the YBA is that much better and you own mostly CDs. I agree with the above posts that you should keep the amps, preamp and speakers. Good luck with it and finding a new job. I too am looking for a new job and it is unfortunately not the best time to be looking.

Keep the speakers and CDP. Sell all the cables, amps and pre amp and buy Magnum Dynalab 208 receiver Kimber PBJ cable and Audioquest Midnight cable. You wont even notice the difference. Stay strong!

Hi Outlier, I am very sorry to hear of your job situation. The same thing happened to me. I sympathize and understand your situation. I have owned the Nordost Q and the FIM Gold speaker cable. I had no problem selling the Nordost or my FIM speaker cable. I would sell these first. That was easy for me after hearing the Sakura OTA cable Kit. IMO, the OTA is a much better IC than the Nordost. I must admit, selling the FIM PCs almost broke my heart. I have yet to hear a better PC. Please read the Sakura OTA Cable Kit thread. You will get enough wire to out fit your system for $600. You will get 160 feet of wire and enough of their special RCAs to make up 3 pair of ICs. I like their IC better than the highly praised Vahalla, Valhalla, or whatever it's called. For the selling price of the SPM, this will buy you the OTA cable kit. IMO, you will get a better wire, and some cash to put in your pocket. Better times are ahead. You will be back in the saddle in before you know it.

Best regards, Bruce

Thanks everyone for the good advice and kind words. I'm leaning towards going with the cable change option first - sounds like the least drastic option, although I've been so happy with the cables - very noticeable upgrades from what I've had before. Fingers crossed I can land a job soon and be asking you all for upgrade rather than downgrade advice :-) Anyway, thanks again.
John.