2. digital
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CD player how much to invest

I sometimes wonder should I invest more in digital playback in the future. My current CD transport is a CEC TL51x with a Wadia 12 DAC.
From shows and visits to friends I have learned that there are better CD players out there then my combo, but at what price. The AMR CD-777, is a little better but at €4000 twice the cost. The AMR CD-77 and Nagra CDP are even better still but they cost 10 times or more then my combo.

But is it worth the investment even if I had the money. I believe that with say €2000 you can buy a good CD player That is maybe 90% of a €10.000 CD player.

However I do think that speakers and turntables have a higher return on investment sonic wise. A friend of mine will bring his Jadi Symphonia with Electraglide powercord + Harmonic Tech Magic Link I interlink. To compare. I somehow doubt it will be much better, it may be different but better I don't know.

I am wrong to think that? Are more expesive CD player really a lot better then mid priced and if so how come?

Sorry for my rant, but when I was thinking about upgrading my set and maybe buy an other CD player would it be worth the money? Will I hear a difference etc.
mordante

Showing 5 responses by fafafion

fafafion
190 posts
 
Mordante;

1."But is it worth the investment"-Only you can decide;In my case it was a firm Yes.

2. "That is maybe 90% of a €10.000 CD player"-.true.BUT,isn't in true for everything else too?

3."Are more expesive CD player really a lot better then mid priced "..OF COURSE!!!!Without a shadow of a doubt!!Of course the rest of your equipments must be up to it too

4."if so how come?"many reasons,mainly better power supply,better parts,better brains designing them ,etc...

I think you should really put dcs Puccini ,Neodio,and Wadia in your list .
fafafion
190 posts
 
"However I do think that speakers and turntables have a higher return on investment sonic "-I beg to differ.I think the law of diminishing return is true for almost alll the equipments,especially loudspeakers..

"I somehow doubt it will be much better, it may be different but better I don't know."-The same is ESPECIALLY true for loudspeakers too
fafafion
190 posts
 
For 1-2K Euros,here are my suggestions;

1.dcs P8i -used

2.EAR acute-used

3.Luxman D-05

I believe your Symphonic line intergrated will matc superbly with dcs,the Naim might have too much of its own personality
fafafion
190 posts
 
"I don't think the Boulder is a lot better"-you are right,but Try the Nagra CDT vsPuccini?Now there's something else.Likewise a Puccini vs Scarllati stack....the differences are not subtle.Actually I have found out that very few manufacturers know how to make digital gears well,If youn stick with the well known digital specialists I think you are OK.It si easier,WAY>>>>easier to get a well made speakers than well made digital gears

BTW,I personally prefer The Nagra to Boulder 1020,even though it is cheaper.
fafafion
190 posts
 
I would second What Bigkidz suggest,IF>>>and only IF you could find someone who knows what he is doing.

If you could,certainly this would be the most cost effective route..

I know a few in our part of the world{Asia},Octave audio in malaysia being one of the most renowned...
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