I am really enjoying the expansive sound I'm getting from the C-1/M-500 combination. To continue to improve I have also added 2 elements to my system: a Furman power conditioner and a BlueSound Node. The Furman did help and made my house power very quiet, with the benefit of surge protection. But the BlueSound Node is the real star addition and performer. I am seriously impressed. But, I tweaked it some more...
I also added Tidal, even though I have been listening to Amazon music and was happy with that. I got the Premier version on trial (but I've already decided I'm keeping it), and I strongly recommend it to all of you as it is noticeably better sound. And I'd like to also point out that Tidal offers a discount to veterans and active military, and also to first responders, that makes the Premier sound cost the same as the "normal" quality sound.
So until I get my M-500 upgraded by Nelion next January, this is what I've got running. I'll put my old M-400 (my first real amplifier) back into service when the M-500 is becoming all it can be.
Hope everyone is doing well.