Replacing TT with CD

cfb, i'm a little confused too, as if anything my WTT (original) was rather lightweight, and it certainly beat any CDP of the time (early 90s) in terms of involvement. The lightweight sound was why I sold it and got my Basis. Maybe a function of the cartridge (I had a Monster AG1000)?

For Saihcc, I think Jimbo's advice is pretty good--unless you're willing to spend a lot of money. Another resonably priced (used), good sounding CDP you could consider is the Audiomecca Keopps, or the YBA. Given what you can get for the WTT (assuming you have an original or the WTT Record Player), you might want to keep it even if you get a CDP. One last possibility is to get a new TT/arm, although if you have a WTT Reference I'd think you'd have a hard time beating it.

Consider the Muse Thalia 9 for a good taste of what a one box player is capable of. I think you may be shocked with the performance of this player. I sold my Basis and picked up the Muse and have no qualms about it.
True, the analog machines (TT) do sound better when done right but some digital can sound very good, much better than some may think.
The Muse is quite musical; here's just a brief evaluation without getting into alot of the audiophile mumbo jumbo: (this is a short list of what I have noted in general) non-fatigueing highs which have an airy extention without harshness or glare, rich timbres with a very deep and wide soundstage. Sure, many contenders claim the same but listen for yourself and I think you will agree in regards the musical integrity of the Muse.
You might want to think about including this player on your short list of one box contenders, it really is a killer all the way around.

Best Regards,
Chris

If I could trade my Oracle Delphi IV/SME/Grado/Lehmann for an Oracle CDP and not feel like I've lost out, I'd do it.

ok, ok, i've not listened to a well tempered tt & arm for years. but i most definitely DO remember every playing of it with mm and mc cartridges as dark and slow (i.e, lacking PRaT). FWIW, my reference at the time was the first generation vpi tnt/sme V/lyra clavis played through a jrdg consummate phono stage. -cfb