Is upgrading worth it?

It would be very helpful if we were to know your system details, room parameters, and musical preferences.

I agree with the poster.50% of the cd's in my collection were not intended for audiophiles to sit between speakers and pick it apart. I bring this music along to hifi stores and get ridiculed for bringing it.It sounds like crap on a $20,000 system. Getting 2 systems is the solution that works for me. The nice thing about the first system for bad records is you do not have to spend alot of money for that system.

Digepix. I know exactly what you are talking back. Its not that you like the sound of you old amp better, it's just more forgiving on lesser recordings. Very common problem. A lot of people make that mistake: they run around with a bunch of audiophile CD's to test and set up the equipment and when they listen to what they really like, they realize a mistake was made. I can give 2 suggestions. 1. Since you still have your old system, keep it and just use it for certain problem recordings. 2. Get an eq. Run a straight cable from your CD player to the preamp and another one from the CD player to the eq. Then take another IC and go from the eq to a different input on your preamp. That way you can switch back and forth.

It's true that a more revealing system will reveal more flaws. But it'll also reveal more strengths in a poor recording too. If all you're focusing on is the flaws, that's all you'll hear.

I bought a system to listen to my music on. I don't buy music to listen to my system. There's a difference.

My system isn't known for being warm, smooth, forgiving, etc. (Bryston B60, Audio Physic Yara Evolution bookshelves, Rega DAC (not as forgiving as people think)). I've also heard my music on $100k systems, and bad recordings are still bad, yet they're still highly enjoyable. My library consists of rock, classic rock, metal, and alternative almost exclusively. With the exception of Pink Floyd and one or two others, none of this stuff would be 'audiophile approved.'

There are very, very few albums I can't listen through my stereo due to sonics. Metallica's Death Magnetic being one. About 3 or 4 tracks into it, the amount of compression rely wears me down. I can't listen to it much further on my iPod either, so it's not like my system is to blame. The only place I can listen to it is in my car.

"I bought a system to listen to my music on. I don't buy music to listen to my system. There's a difference."

Well Said!!