Advice requested: CDP/DAC or Amp?


Thanks in advance to everyone who spends a few moments and words of wisdom on how to best approach the following problem.

I have a mid-fi rig right now. It consists of the following equipment:
Revel F30 floorstanding speakers
Rotel RMB-1075 (5x120w) amp
Rotel CD-1070 CDP
Rotel RSP-976 preamp/processor

I bought all the Rotel gear when I first got into this hobby. I bought the 5-channel amp & pre-amp to give myself the option to go surround in the future, but I much prefer 2-channel listening, instead. I want to replace my equipment and get a CDP/DAC w/ volume control and either monoblocks or a nice stereo amp.

CDP/DACs that I've listenend to and liked:
Wadia 861 (regular & SE)
Wadia 27iX
Cary 306/200
Mark Levinson 390

Amps:
McIntosh 402 & 501's
Pass Labs 250.5
Krell FPB 350MCX
Jeff Rowland 201
BAT (don't remember which models)

So I was hoping to spend 2-3k on the CDP/DAC and about 3k+ for the amp(s), but the wife is likely only gonna be cool w/ a 3k budget. So rather than lower my quality standard, I'd rather get 1 good piece (amp or CDP/DAC) and re-visit the hi-fi budget down the road. Would I get a better improvement by replacing my amp w/ one of the above-mentioned ones, or would I get better sound by ditching my preamp and/or CDP for one of the ones listed above & going straight into my current amp?

Thanks again to all who offer their advice. I understand that it might be a minor stretch to get the pieces listed above for my budget, but I am likely able to find some way to make it work.
themudhead

Showing 1 response by reubent

Hummm,

You could get a Quad 99 CDP CD player w/volume control and a Quad 909 power amp. These are excellent pieces and can compete with units costing much more.

You could buy the pair used for about $1700-1900.

Read the excellent reviews and decide for yourself. Heck, at the used price, you could buy them, try them and sell them for little to zero loss if you weren't thrilled.

Enjoy,

TIC