judith: welcome to the 'gon! having been at this hobby for roughly 35 years, i've had quite a number of eye (or ear)-opening experiences. i'll share a couple:
first, listening to my lp's on a decent turntable after they sat neglected for a couple of years during my first "digital epoch." the vpi hw-19 with a grado arm and grado reference cartridge simply blew away every cdp then available. so, for several years after acquiring this analog rig and upgrading to a tnt/ sme V/ lyra clavis, i had no cd player in my ever-evolving system. (FWIW, my current analog frontend is much more exotic.)
second, hearing a great one-box cdp in my setup. the first of this ilk was an accuphase dp-65, replaced after 2 months with a dp-75. thus began my second digital epoch.
for about a month and a half now, i've finally able to get world class digital AND analog performance with my purchase of a boulder 1012 pre/dac. this beautiful box, coupled with compatible lp and cd transports, provides the best from both my music collections.
i hope, tho, that i continue to be amazed by newer and better stuff. i especially look forward to the production of more great recordings of music, whatever their format might be.
-cfb
first, listening to my lp's on a decent turntable after they sat neglected for a couple of years during my first "digital epoch." the vpi hw-19 with a grado arm and grado reference cartridge simply blew away every cdp then available. so, for several years after acquiring this analog rig and upgrading to a tnt/ sme V/ lyra clavis, i had no cd player in my ever-evolving system. (FWIW, my current analog frontend is much more exotic.)
second, hearing a great one-box cdp in my setup. the first of this ilk was an accuphase dp-65, replaced after 2 months with a dp-75. thus began my second digital epoch.
for about a month and a half now, i've finally able to get world class digital AND analog performance with my purchase of a boulder 1012 pre/dac. this beautiful box, coupled with compatible lp and cd transports, provides the best from both my music collections.
i hope, tho, that i continue to be amazed by newer and better stuff. i especially look forward to the production of more great recordings of music, whatever their format might be.
-cfb