Being a student, at a private college, I don't exactly have a lot of spare cash. But I think I've assembled a pretty good system that works for my tastes. I used to have a Phase Linear 400 II power amp and a Marantz preamp but recently I got the tube bug and bought a pair of those mega cheap ASL tube amps unheard. Wow! Solid-state never again. Also, the increased impedance let's me run my CDP right into the amps. I still might get a Foreplay though for better volume control. I stuck with a universal "bargain" and bought a Marantz CD-67SE off AudioAdvisor for $250. For xmas I got the Axiom M22Tis. Very nice. Amazing what $400 buys these days. I bought the Lovan stands this spring and boy was I amazed what a good set of stands can do. At $79 a pair I don't understand why anyone wouldn't be using these sand-fillable stands instead of cheap wood ones. I think my next upgrade will be either a Foreplay preamp, the Jon Risch DIY power conditioner, or some new DIY interconnects.
With some luck,you can find an ADCOM ACE-515 conditioner,for a buck 25,and try out KIMBER PBJ interconnects,very cheap,and maybe you will get better sound improvement.Also like the others suggest,get headphones,it will help in that enviroment.CHEERS and do well in college so that you can get and enjoy some serious hi-end audio.
