If your Sony has a digital output, you can do a cost effective upgrade by going to an external DAC, and continuing to use your existing CDP as a transport. The ART DI/O is a steal (current low price is $123 or so at fullcompass.com). For more info on the DI/O than you could possibly want, search the "Digital Drive" forum at audioasylum.com. I use one DI/O in a headphone system, with an old Rotel 955 CDP, which had some life in it after all, and a second as an external sound card for my computer (the DI/O can do A to D as well as D to A). I've just gotten a third one recently (hey, at that price why not?) to try some of the modifications listed at audioasylum.
New to 'hi-end,' looking for budget CDP
I'm new to 'hi-end' stereo and need help for my small system. I have an NAD reciever 7240PE and JMLabs Chorus 705 bookshelf speakers. I want to replace my 10+ yr old SONY 5-disc player. I'm considering a used CAL Icon or Icon MkII, or a new/used Cambridge player. I'd like to stay in the $200 -350 range. Any thoughts that might help are appreciated.
Dave
Dave