CD upgrade.


Hi. Ive been searching the net for ideas, but i could do with some pointers. Im looking to upgrade my Consonance droplet cd player. This is a very large and heavy valve player which i like, but have had for some time now and feel an upgrade is in order. I want something that will better it, ideally valve but that is not essential. im looking to spend 3k ( british pounds) and would consider something pre owned too. Is that a bad idea, given that cd players have moving parts? the droplet retails at just over three. anyone think this would be a side ways move? ive seen a gamut cd3 ( ex dem, not heard it) for around 3k. Anyone have any experience with these players. Thank you kindly.
james123
Chayro,
A bit harsh no? If a thread is, for you, tiresome, just don't bother reading or commenting on it.
Vicks - Many people here, including myself, attempted to give the OP some well-meaning advice,for better or worse. But when it comes down to: "What do you think of XYX?" or "How much better is XYX than ABC?", it just becomes an exercise in futility. As everyone here knows, high-end audio is a long and often expensive journey that must be experienced first-hand to appreciate. The OP happens to own a very good player and that makes it even more difficult. The point I was trying to convey, perhaps not very tactfully I'll admit, is that there is no way around actual listening and finding out what's good and what's less good. There were some very good suggestions made here and now it's time to explore. At least that's what I think.
Chayro. i too thought it was a bit on the harsh side, but thats ok, no offence taken.

I too have been on the audio journey and have experienced some costly mistakes. My largest being the trashing of a 3 month pass x350 power amp because i did not understand subwoofer connections, destroying a 3k subwoofer to in the process to just makes things even worse. A 2k pounds mod to a cd player that was returned dead and the modder didnt want to know. Endless cd upgrades . ive sold on so much mid fi , next to nothing literally and even given some away, but thats fine as im glad that some teenagers/ young men somewhere thinks its the best kit in the world. I did too, when i had a technics cd player that cost 80 pounds, many years ago!

ive gone down that expensive journey and if anyone wanted to learn from my mistakes, im more than willing to guide.
To ask a few comparisons and views is surely not
unreasonable and clearly products differ in performance. it is not possible to hear every single product and in order to create a shortlist, views are helpful. If anyone wanted to know how Zingali speakers sound, i could tell them and could make a cross reference to speakers such as mid priced Monitor Audio, because i have both in my home. Now that comparison would be useful to somebody going from mid fi to more serious speakers.

Im very grateful for every suggestion here and actually investigated the first response, which was yours, fully. I have looked into each and every product mentioned by all the very helpful posters here.

Thank you kindly