Who's to blame for the Grain??

I started out like you.
I had Polk speakers, a Sony ES receiver, and a cheap-ass sony CD.
I added a Parasound HCA 1000A amp, and used the sony as a preamp. Better sound.

At some point, I bought a Parasound CD player, to replace the Sony. Better sound again.

I bought a Conrad Johnson Preamp- the PV-10AL. Got the Sony REceiver totally out of the system. FYI I was using AUdioquest Topaz (cheap stuff) and CV-4 speaker cable (really cheap stuff). Incredible sound(compared to what I'd had before). IT was like my eyes and ears were open for the first time.

Clearly, the largest improvement I found was by going to a Tube based preamp. There are several out there, hell, you could even get a Jolida integrated amp for what a decent preamp costs. Those things sound great.

My final answer- calm down. Chill out. Listen to some tunes.
Decide what $$ you're going to spend on some speakers. IF you waited 4 months, would that amount change greatly?
IF so, I'd wait. Buying a speaker today with no bass, and then waiting until you have the extra grand to pick up a Rel sub might not be the best thing. Plus, how do you know that they'l mate well? IF you're room is too small for a floorstander, it's too small for a sub, IMHO. Just get a bookshelf speaker with a little kick to it. THe bass will be fine.
If I were you, I'd do this:

Sell the Anaconda- Yes, it's great stuff, but you're not getting close to even needing that level of resolution. With the Sony stuff, if anything you need a more forgiving IC. FInd yourself 2 pairs of Audioquest Opalx3, a very, very good cable (I haven't heard of anyone that didn't think it was a good cable, even at its $300 list price, before it was discontinued.) Or Kimber Hero, or something else USED. Should be about $100 per meter pair. IF you only have 1 pair of Anaconda, or if you have 2 half meter pairs, that should be at least $300 left over. IF you have 2 1 meter pairs, then you should gain about $5-600 by this. Trust me, you won't miss it, not this year. IF you do this, you'll have some extra cash to either supplement your speakers, or add a better CD, or get a preamp.

Sorry to ramble on, and even sorrier to cast doubt on any decisions you've made. I just can't see what your loving the Big Paradigms has to do with the sound of the smallerr ones.

I think finding a speaker that you love will be the toughest task, and that's where I'd spend the majority of my money.

Even if it means waiting.

IF you can't wait:

Buy a Rega Planet CD- $350 used. Worth Every Penny.
Get the Cheap ICs (seriously, Opal is great stuff. Viper, in the new AQ line is most comparable.

IF you're not ready for a tubed integrated amp, at the minimum, at least figure out how to listen in your home, to a tubed pramp with your Parasound. You won't believe your ears how it smoothes out the sound. You can probably find a Conrad Johnson PV-10AL for $500. There are MANY MANY other fine manufacturers of tubed gear. I use ROgue right now. Made in the USA!!

Hold on to the Parasound for the near future. It's a competent piece. Not familiar with the Monster Cable Speaker cable. BUT- when I had speaker that were "too much" for my room, I sold the 10 gauge speaker cable that I was using, and got a smaller gauge cable. It tightened up the midbass, and yes, lost some low bass volume, but the point is, I could live with my large speaklers in the small room.

IF I ever moved, I could just get som more firehose cable...

SPeakers, speakers, speakers. I have no idea what you're budget is. IF you can, go out of town. Visit some different shoppes, listen to new things. Once I had an idea of what I liked, I started buying speakers (unheard) used on AUdiogon.
After a while, I found some that I loved. (I still have them).

Anyway, good luck. I'm sure that I've rambled on far too long, but If you want to email me off the thread, I'll talk with you as long as you want.

I've been there, and it will be OK!

Joe

I agree onthe Tube integrated.
A Jolida that doesn't use el34 tubes will give you the bass (mostly) that you, no doubt, crave.

I've never owned Jolida, but their all tube amps are super for teh $$.
There's several on the goN right now.

What's up with you, Meech?
Let us know.

I agree with Labtec to a certain extent, noone is going to get it right with one upgraded component, no matter who you are, if you're starting out with some not so good stuff.
You're going to have to upgrade each piece, and possibly, such as is common with us less than wealthy types, you do it in stages, and save tons of cash by making careful purchases on the used market.

While I would love to attend a HiFi show myself, I don't think that there is any way around the learning curve/subsequent purchasing/selling/repurchasing of equipment while you "learn" what you like. I've had good equipment, with good synergy in several different incarnations, but my tastes have changed over the years. I buy and sell components and accessories based on what it will do when inserted into my system.

Here's where Labtec has a good point. Buying an entire system as one unit can be great. I don't think that any one manufacturer makes a total package that would suit me. But there are dealers out there that I've visited that can put together some really good systems at great prices. It's about having access to different lines of gear, and having the love to sit there and fiddle around and make some good music, in addition to answering the phones, etc. However, unless Meech can find a dealer near him that will extend credit (or borrow money for gear-I've done it) it will be difficult to make 1 large purchase.

I guess I still think that the best way is to find some people that you trust, that have some knowledge on the subject, and ask for advice. Also, it helps to know what you're looking for, as "better" system can mean lots of different things to different people.

I hope Meech hasn't thrown it all out the window, as I've been tempted to do at times.