What to upgrade on $3,000 budget

"The new interconnects cleaned the window so now you have a clearer vision of an unpleasant view. There are two things that you can do here, either cover the window back up again or work on improving the view (system)."

You should be in the Hall Of Fame!!!

I'd be thinking about working around the Airport Express and then maybe this

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-ayre-v-5xe-fully-balanced-zero-feedback-2012-12-22-amplifiers-21703-frederick-md

12-28-12: Rok2id
How can an 'Upgrade' or an 'improved' anything, cause a system to sound worst?? It's just beyond my ability to understand.

No surprise here.

12-28-12: Rok2id

You should be in the Hall Of Fame!!!

Thank you. ;~}

Vicdamone has the best advice

People report hearing Adcom amps as harsh, edgy, etc. My experience was consistent with that. I'd guess you could best the Adcom for well less than 3k. For example, sticking to muscular SS designs, used Odyssey amps can be found at around 1k, and monoblocks with bells and whistles around 2k.

If you spent a grand on an amp, you'd have 2k to think about speakers (the component with the biggest impact on listening experience), and while I don't know your speakers, I'm betting 2k used can get you a noticable upgrade (esp. in this slow market).

But it looks like you enjoy tinkering, and since the Adcom is a likely culprit, I'd put my upgrade money in a more ambitious amp, and plan for a speaker upgrade down the road.

John