Advice needed on Amp


I have a modest system consisting of Wharfedale Jade 5s, Sim audio 230 HAD used as a dac an digital preamp, and a Parasound HCA 1500A Amp I purchased new years ago.  I use GIK corner traps and spme  side and rear wall panels because my listening room is small at 12 feet  by 15 feet. 

This system sounds nice but I would like to increase the level of transparency. I have a small budget of 2,500. It would seem to me that the weak link in my system is the Parasound. Ideally I should spend hours going round to audio shops auditioning equipment. Being a man of 68 years old this does not appeal to me.  I am hoping for some advice from you kind and wise souls to help this old man with a decision. 
At one time I had a subtational record and cd collection. Divorces and other bad choices leave me with Tdal and Hi Rez down loads as my sources for media. .

Thank You
rhouse

Showing 2 responses by dweller

Upgrade to a Parasound A21, get some OCC wire. Get some sorbothane footers for your equipment and put some acoustic panels on your walls to absorb early reflections (put some behind you as well). These panels are available at Home Depot now.
No need to put panels in back of the speakers. The common description is "live-end, dead-end" one end of the room some be untreated (live) the other should have treatment (dead). Also, I don't believe Audioquest ever used OCC copper. They use something called "perfect surface" (?). Harmonic technology, Acoustic Zen, Wireworld and, recently, Shunyata all use OCC (single crystal) copper. BTW, Aluminum tweeters are not necessarily harsh.
Good luck with your quest...