After 20+ years, my Sony STR-6800 receiver finally gave out and I decided to move up in the world. Since I can afford more now than I could in college, I've recently started to upgrade. The one thing I haven't upgraded, obviously, is my cd player. However, what I have now sounds lightyears better (e.g. more real, more there, more more) than what I had. My wife wholeheartedly agrees and is quite pleased with the improvement. I'd appreciate any input on the following: 1) What should I do on the CD side that would be compatable with the amp and speakers (in other words, not so much better that I would immediately feel obligated to replace the amp or speakers to get the most out of my CD source)? 2) Aside from the cd player, what would be the next weakest link? (I've not yet become "addicted" to constant improvement, but reading various things here and other places is starting to make me twitchy.) As to what we listen to, classical, jazz, and 60's-80's rock.
There are some really good inexpensive CD players available used on this site pretty frequently, like the CAL Icon Mk II (usually about $400-500), the Ah Tjoeb! players ($300 for the 99 to $450-500 for the 2000), and the Adcom 750. The Cambridge Audio D500 SE sells new for $479 I think, and that is a really good, current model 24/96 player. For more money, you should consider the Arcam FMJ and the Musical Fidelity CD player that would match your amp. I've seen both of these pieces for sale used here on Audiogon recently as well. Finding a good modern CD player will be easy, and fun!
