The Carver pre-amp needs to go no doubt. I had same pre-amp. Replaced on advice of another Agoner at the time with Audio Research sp16 and bingo....huge improvement in every way.
Any good quality tube pre-amp should work well with that amp’s 100kohm input impedance. Or for something SS maybe consider a Benchmark pre/DAC combo unit. That is likely a step up from the DAC in the Bluesound as well.
You don’t mention using a turntable so no need for phono input into pre-amp.
After that, maybe the amp goes too if age/operating condition is in fact an immediate problem.
If pre-amp and amp must go, if it were me, I would strongly consider a good modern hybrid integrated amp along the lines of Rogue Pharoah. You could then experiment with an external DAC with the Bluesound later if you felt any need.
Lot's of choices but probably time to start seriously considering replacing that older gear.
Good luck.
Any good quality tube pre-amp should work well with that amp’s 100kohm input impedance. Or for something SS maybe consider a Benchmark pre/DAC combo unit. That is likely a step up from the DAC in the Bluesound as well.
You don’t mention using a turntable so no need for phono input into pre-amp.
After that, maybe the amp goes too if age/operating condition is in fact an immediate problem.
If pre-amp and amp must go, if it were me, I would strongly consider a good modern hybrid integrated amp along the lines of Rogue Pharoah. You could then experiment with an external DAC with the Bluesound later if you felt any need.
Lot's of choices but probably time to start seriously considering replacing that older gear.
Good luck.