Is it time to upgrade

I was in a similar situation, looking to replace/upgrade my Cambridge Audio 840 CD player. I already have it digital out to a Bryston D/A, so the sound is very good. But I was concerned about the potential of CD players in general, as the specialized transports are being discontinued on a regular basis.

I decided to invest in a "memory" player (the PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport). Its a lot more money than your budget, but it uses a DVD ROM drive instead of the standard CD transport so its "future resistant" from an obsolescense perspective.

It still plays all my CDs and even high res files burned to disk.

BTW, CDs are not going anywhere no matter what the computer audio folks say. For me and the kind of music I like, they are still the main source. I have checked out hig res sources such as HDTracks and the selection of music just sucks. An exception might be SACDs, but you will need a dedicated player for those in any event.

hi bobo7:

you asked a question , here is my answer:

from 1966 to 1973 i owned a stereo system which i prefrred to any i have heard thereafter.

the system in brief was the following:

speakers: 4 quad esl

amps: 4 quad tube mono blocks (2 pair of monos)

preamp: mcintosh c22

analog setup: thorens td 124 table, with ortofon arm and cartiridge.

i have heard thousands of stereo syetms since 1973.

none have given me the plasure when listing to music that the above stereo system did.

the point is that when you are very satisfied with what you here from your stereo system, upgrading is superfluous.

I agree Mrtennis.I am happy with the sound'I might not find anything that sounds as good as my Denon 1600.So I will just wait.Thanks for help guys.

Had to comment on Mr.ts response. I too had a system back in the seventy's that I felt was excellent and at the time was bowled over by it's sonic merits. But I think if we compared it today to my current system we would be quite shocked by it's deficiencies. You can never bring back the joy of youth and it's first experiences with things. It's kind of like that first great car we owned that is now a classic, if we drove it today after driving a modern auto, we would likely say " what a piece of shit".

Should also add, that the audio upgrades I've made have all been done very carefully and purchases were only made after long listening sessions at home, so each change has been a worthwhile and satisfying improvement to the former.