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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
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Good advice from both members. I am of the opinion that you build a great system around a great pre-amp. If you get one with a tape loop or HT pass-thru, you can keep your pre/pro and 5 channel amp for HT use. Spend $1.5-2K on the pre and about the same on a good amp. Then upgrade the CDP when the format wars shake out.
robm321
932 posts
 
I would second Aball's opinion. The CD player you have is actually pretty good. I would go with an amp or preamp. Or, like I did when I departed from my Rotel equipment, go for an integrated.

I used a Rotel RB1080 and RC1090 (I think it's 1090?). I bettered the sound of Rotel seperates for less then I payed for both with an ASL AQ-1001DT. It's a tube integrated, but it doesn't lack bass like a some tubes do. It gives you smooth music compared to the harder sounding Rotel gear for a lesser price IMHO. You would still have money left over to get a Jolida JD100. OR - get a nice preamp and amp combo since you have the budget for it.

That being said, I think Rotel is a great company, and I've enjoyed what I got from that equipment for a reasonable price.

Good luck!
themudhead OP
5 posts
 
I appreciate everyone's advice offered. I had assumed that perhaps the amp would offer the most immediate improvement, though the idea of replacing the pre-amp also makes sense. Even though I have the two HT-capable components, my setup is fully 2-channel. I actually want to move to a pure 2-channel system, since it best reflects how it is used. I now have some research ahead of me to determine the best amp and/or pre to spend my money on.

Thanks again to all who took the time to contribute their thoughts.
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