At 28 years old, I have been into home audio for about 11 years now. This system is my work in progress and I have a long way to go before I reach my goal. I listen to about 30% home theater and 70% music. The better my system gets, the more I seem to listen to music. I feel that the Ayre / Vandersteen / Pranawire / Kubala-Sosna combo is a good one. Eventually, I would like to phase out the Kubala-Sosna and go all Pranawire.
Most people have never heard of Pranawire, however, after trying the top-of-the-line offerings from over 30 cable manufacturers, I believe that Pranawire is of the best out there regardless of cost.
Fully balanced class A amp with evolution upgrade (150 watts X 2)
Audio Research Ref 3
Fully balanced class A preamp
Vandersteen Quatro
Four-way class A speaker with 300 watt built in subs. I am using them with the balanced crossover and they are amazing.
Modwright Platinum Truth Sony 9100
This is a modified Sony 9100 player. It was upgraded to a Platinum Truth mod by Modwright
Pranawire Nataraja
This is a pair of 1.5 meter Pranawire Nataraja that is being run from my CD player to preamp. Hands down, it is the best interconnect that I have heard. The company does have a higher level model, but I've never listened for fear that I will want to buy it
Pranawire Nataraja
1 meter XLR from preamp to amp
Pranawire Realization Kensho
I am using this Running Springs Audio Haley It really cleans up the grunge and lets the music shine through better than the Cardas Mongoose cable.
Kubala-Sosna Emotion
I am running this from the Running Springs Audio Haley power conditioner to Ayre V-5xe amp
Kubala-Sosna Emotion
I am using this from my Running Springs Audio Haley to my Modwright Platinum Truth Sony 999Es CD Player
Kubala-Sosna Emotion
I am running this power cord from my Running Springs Audio to my power source on my Modwright Platinum Truth Sony 999ES
Kubala-Sosna Emotion
Speaker cables with Kubala-Sosna Emotion jumpers
Running Springs Audio Haley
Six outlet / 1800 watts of power conditioning
Auralex Room Treatment
I am using 4 Auralex panels that are 2X4 feet and 2 inches thick
Shakti Stones
I picked some of these up thinking I would give them a try and that I wouldn't hear much difference, but they cleaned up the sound nicely so I decided to keep them. I have three. I use one on my RSA Haley, one on the power source to my CD player, and one on the CD player itself. Each stone provides better results.
The upgrade from the 2CE's to the Quattro will be bigger and the speakers are the more important component to build your system around than the preamp in my opinion. I used to own the Vandy 2Ci, then went to the 3A with 2 Vandy subs, listened to the Quattro and ended up buying the 5A's. The jump from the 3A with 2 subs to the 5A's has to be heard to be fully appreciated and I would guess that the jump from the 2CE to the Quattro's would be very similiar in % improvement. So, if you have to choose, get the Quattro's.
Given that you now have a good CD player with the Modwright, and that you have invested dollars in good cabling and amplification, I would suggest that while the upgrade to the Vandy Quattro will be a signficant improvement compared to the 2Ce, that you won't realize the full potential of your system until you move to a good quality dedicated preamp. I also have the Anthem D1 processor, and while its a very good HT processor and not a bad analog preamp, it can't compare to a good dedicated 2 channel preamp. I would suggest a good tube based preamp with a HT bypass so that you can run the front left/right outputs of your ANthem into the preamp when you use your HT. There are many to choose from, but the improvement in doing this will be very, very significant. I would do this before I made anymore cable changes.
