CD player just tanked.


Brief introduction: I just recently inherited a hifi system (Audio Research LS16 pre-amp, Proceed HPA2 amp, Aerial Acoustics 7B tower speakers, Arcam CD92 CD player). I'm new to this audiophile stuff but am enjoying the system and learning about it.

Was listening to Dark Side of the Moon CD tonight when suddenly it sounded like the music was coming out of a can. Put in another CD, same thing. My only other source of input is iTunes via a head phone jack/RCA Y cable into the pre-amp. That sounds fine.

So I'm assuming it is the CD player but it seems like an odd sort of issue. I think this CD player is probably 15 years old but I see similar models on eBay for $300+. Wondering if it is worth trying to repair or if that is even possible. I'm also wondering if this could be a problem with the CD input 'channel' on the pre-amp. I guess I could plug the CD into the Aux input on the pre-amp and see.

Any thoughts appreciated.
n80
Easy solution.  Go with the Sony for a while; there's not going to be too much of a difference.  If you're still interested in upgrading after a while, there are always multiple options on the 'gon at a variety of price points for a newer but used CDP.
celander, the funny thing is is that I my in law gave me all this stuff because my old tuner/receiver was acting up. As I was researching this equipment someone recommended shooting some DeOxit into the pots of the old receiver and now it works like it did in 1978 and now it continues use down at my cabin as it has for the last 15 years. 

I’m going down there today to get the Sony and my in law says he’s now found another whole system he doesn’t want. Rotel components and B&W speakers. I’ll look at those today. 
Hmmm...my plastic milk crates strategically placed near-field to my ATC active monitors achieves remarkably similar effects of contouring “the frequency, amplitude and time coefficients of the first reflections.”