The Thetas will indeed be a huge improvement over your Rotel while they work, but I have on three different occasions (Data Basic One, Data Basic Two, Voyager) convinced myself that the exterior construction (which is indeed tank-like) and a great price had to mean a good used deal, only to end up with indifferent reliability. My learning curve isn't steep, but it does slope upwards: the fourth used transport I bought was a Wadia, not a Theta. The tank stays pretty much the same, but the maladies don't linger on.
cheap used transport vs cheaper cdp w/ digital out
my venerable Rotel 855 is on its last legs and need to decide if a VERY cheap used transport ($350-$450)offers ANY sonic improvements over an even cheaper ($150-250) yet decent used transport with coax or optical outs. I've always wondered what you guys think about this. I think any discussion the community might offer would be of real value for us financially challenged audiophiles. thanks as always.