Got a New CD Player and Now I'm Bummed


Hope to get some help here...I recently added an Esoteric X-03SE to my system the details of which you can see here. I've always been a huge fan of vinyl and have a large collection--many more LP's than CD's. The problem is my digital front end is now WAY better sounding than my analogue set up. (My last CD player, a Naim CDX2, was about on par with my table--better in some areas, not as good in others). I'm finding myself listening to many more CD's while my LP's are dying for attention. I never thought this would happen to me! So, now I'm faced with upgrading my analogue to the point of parity (or better?) with my digital. (Wierd, right?). I could use some suggestions. One limiting factor is the overall height of the new analogue set up cannot be much taller than what I have since it needs to sit on a wall mount shelf that fits inside our entertainment center. So, I need a table/arm/cartridge set up that sounds DRAMATICALLY better than my Scout/JMW9/Dyna 20XM but doesn't need a ton of head room. What do you think I need to spend to get significantly better performance than what I have already? What would you all suggest for a new analogue front end? I'm thinking a Scoutmaster, Sota Cosmos or perhaps going back to an LP 12 with works. Ideas? Thanks!
dodgealum

Showing 1 response by electroid

Same here. My digital rig indeed outdid my last vinyl setup. The most important areas where it fell short were: image/soundstage and dynamics. When I added it all up the reality was I didn't have the free money laying around to buy the gear I needed to get an analog rig where I wanted it. As a result I listened to vinyl less and less. I still believe a good analog rig will outdo digital. BUT because there are now and have been few new releases on vinyl in the last 15 years or so I decided to let it go.......... for now. Maybe again someday. I do miss it.

ET