09-17-14: Ptss
Hi K.
I know it's deficient because of the "inordinate" gains I obtain from using a 'combination' of ac power isolation & conditioning devices bought to enhance my listening. I am using -and need to use- an Equitech 2Q balanced transformer, MIT AC2 & AC1 reference power cords, and MIT Z Stabilizers--all to excellent effect.
this is a totally wrong assumption on your part. Even if you improved your in-chassis power supply, you would still need the AC isolation & the Equitech. Almost all the power & pre power supplies are unregulated so they are quite sensitive to the grunge on the AC power coming out of the wall socket.
The AC isolation & the Equitech unit is cleaning up the AC power coming into your electronics & it will still need to be in place after you upgrade your pre & power supplies.
Now, your power supply caps probably need to be replaced as correctly suggested by Rodman99999 simply due to the electrolytic dielectric material drying up over a period of 20 years. You could also gain by using HEXFRED rectifier diodes, I agree with this.
But you will still need the AC isolation & Equitech after all these upgrades.
IMO you could get rid of the AC isolation & Equitech if you had a regulated power supply (like a SMPS used in many class-D amps). A regulated power supply will maintain regulation over a wide range with very little output ripple & will also have good load regulation (i.e. minimal output voltage changes when the load current suddenly changes. Sudden changes in load current are expected as a normal when listening to music which is quick moving signal).