What to upgrade on $3,000 budget

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

Lol, Elizabeth hit the nail on the head! I think she should have added though, that next time you buy junk, keep it to yourself. It makes selling it alot easier if less people know it's junk. By the way, I've got a pair of audioquest rocket 44's that I think will be an upgrade for you. $40 for the pair!

Get the best amp you can with that 3k it will be the heart of your system from here out. That adcom is your weak link in my opinion. Not that familiar with your preamp but it might be suspect as well. Mediocre amp and pre will always yield mediocre results no matter what your speakers. In fact an integrated amp might be the best bang for the buck at 3k

I agree with upgrading your pre/amp combo to a nice integrated amp.