I've been considering my options, and I think i want to get a preamp and DAC, but those will be my last pieces to add.
This is also a home theater, so I don't want to lose my 5.1 if possible.
Speaker + receiver + amp first. Use receivers preamp out for amp. Use my old speakers for center and surround.
Add Sub
Replace center and surrounds with Salk.
Last stage - Add preamp with HT bypass, and a DAC
Thanks for the help, and any comments on this are appreciated.
Seems like a good way to go and is similar to the order I have been putting our system together, thanks to some great advice from oneinthepipe, Nuance, TJHUB, and others.
We had/have a Denon 4308ci for HT and were using AV123 Rockets for 5.1. We went with Salk HT2 TL's for the mains, but also an HT2 sealed center channel to keep the sound consistent across the front for 5.1 audio. We are using our older Rocket 750's for the 2 surround channels (and a Rocket sub also). The Salks were a huge improvement in audio quality and have led to the other "upgrades". FYI, I didn't plan on this until we received the Salks - the Rockets seemed to be maxed in sound quality with our old equipment and it didn't seem worth upgrading our components at the time.
Then we added some acoustic room treatments. Nice improvement again that tightened everything up. Wouldn't mind adding more acoustic treatments, but I think the low WAF would put an end to that idea.
Next we added the Parasound A-21 amp for 2 channel (using the Denon as a preamp for now). Big improvement for 2 channel! It also helps the mains for 5.1 audio, which I hadn't considered. Might have to get a replacement amp for the center and surrounds at some point
I just ordered an Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence Eight Vacuum Tube DAC and a Denon 3800BDCI for Blu-Ray, DVD, and as a CD transport for the AVA DAC. The Denon 3800BDCI will replace an Oppo DV-983H (used for DVD's), a Sony NS999ES (used for CD's) and a PS3 (for Blu-Ray), and clear up some needed space in our AV stand.
When we recover, next up will probably be a preamp with a HT bypass. I'm considering the Parasound 2100 or the P7 since we have the Parasound A-21, followed by Salk surrounds and sub replacements.
At this stage we are very happy with our setup and each step has been a lot of fun to hear the improvements
Good luck and have fun!