Thanks Pdn for your reply, and the Rotel RCD-1520 indeed is a very interesting choice to what I've read in the reviews. The flawless mechanism seems to be the closest to the Luxman CD109 if not better. However, realized that neither the Marantz SA-8004 nor the Rotel-1520 will give a choice of a USB connection to PC Windows to listen to flac files ripped from CD (hoping this way to extend the life of the CD player mechanism). Is this good reasoning?
Also, I am not able technically to compare [the CD player (Rotel-1520 or other) connected through its digital output to the LV109 amplifier] with [the output of a flac file driven across a USB connection to an Azur-851C connected through its digital output to the same LV109]. Are we expecting the same quality or a lesser one with USB connection?
I know the budget would be stretched with an Azur-851C, but under the $1.8K any other suggestions to reach the above goal or any other compromise to reach the best lasting choice? Thanks.
Also, I am not able technically to compare [the CD player (Rotel-1520 or other) connected through its digital output to the LV109 amplifier] with [the output of a flac file driven across a USB connection to an Azur-851C connected through its digital output to the same LV109]. Are we expecting the same quality or a lesser one with USB connection?
I know the budget would be stretched with an Azur-851C, but under the $1.8K any other suggestions to reach the above goal or any other compromise to reach the best lasting choice? Thanks.