What is my weak est link...? Suggestions please.

Viridian, Harshly stated but on point I think. :-)

Abp, Were I in your place I would focus all my attention on getting a full range speaker I had listened to and could build my system around. Speakers first, amp second, sources/pre amp, and lastly everything else, especially tweaks that result in only minor differences. Cables both IC's and speaker cables should come dead last. You can get by on some excellent and inexpense ones til you are really flush. If you have done your work in component selection in the first place you won't need the high-priced frequency response benders, and IMHO that is all most of them are.

But, by all means, get out and start listening to systems in others homes or in B&M stores and see what is possible. Even if you have to put down that book for a while. I think you will be shocked! You might even find an audio friend in your area willing to help if you were to ask.

Good luck.......

Viridian,
Nice work, you are the perfect example of why this hobby is losing participants. How many times have we been into audio stores and had to deal with snooty and rude dealers? Congrats.

ADP689,
Good luck in your search for good sound. Hales are excellent speakers, I would experiment with room placement of the speakers, opportunities regarding wall and corner loading.

Jeff1225, you are absolutely right! Apb689 is new here. This is his first post, and what happens when he asks for help? He gets harshly criticized by an audiophile because his post doesn't meet a certain standard of information that the experienced audiophile would expect. Do you have to have thick skin to seek help in this audio forum? Apparently, the message is: "you better or don't post." As you said Jeff1225, the way people get treated by some of the B&M's and some audiophiles it's no wonder the number of philes continues to dwindle.