Sell quality turntable to buy top CD player?

Think about an Oppo 105 with the Ric Schultz mods as this will get you the detail you need.

Then add a tubed preamp.

Just another route versus going Modwright.

sunnyjim, i found myself in complete accord with metralla above--you have a (comparatively) tiny cd collection, and i wonder if you wouldn't get more pleasure using some of your budget to get more tuneage, rather than spending it all on hardware. cds are awful cheap; you could consider keeping your rega and adding a $500 dac if you're looking for a different sound. entirely your choice, of course.

I have heard the Ayre cd player and compared it to the Linn that I wound up buying. It had a slightly more pleasing mid bass but the difference was subtle. As far as I know the circuitry hasn't changed so it probably still sounds very nice indeed. I Don
The know what they go for used but if you can find one that is in good condition it would be well worth your consideration.

For goodness sakes, buy more LPs!
Oppo BDP105 or Sony XA5400ES would give a lot of bang for the buck for well less than $2700 (in fact, much less than half that amount) and allow for phono and more LPs. Neither of those players "needs" any modification to make you happy.

Let me backtrack from member Lewn's comment. I don't foresee buying more LP's. One, I don't want to track down used record huts with vinyl of dubious quality There only two such huts in Honolulu where I live.
Second, New LPs are expensive, especially if you buy from Music Direct or Acoustic Sounds. Even some of the speciality analog remasters of classic 60's rock sold direct on the internet can cost an arm and a leg. I never was totally sold on this so-called "Vinyl Renaissance" that has been growing in the last 15 years. However, as you noted (which could be debated forever), the Sony 5400, or the Oppo 105 may offer me enough improvement. ( I don't understand why OPPO does not offer a simple giant killer CD player WITHOUT A FREAKIN DVD PLAYER which increases its cost of production, and its retail price

To Bigbudukks. I thought Linn no longer made CD players?? ( I will check again) The Ayre CX-7emp usually sells for $1700-2000 "used" for the current model or an upgraded version. I have read and heard more pros than cons about its performance. One caveat is....it supposedly sounds better through its unbalanced inputs. I don't have same on my Rogue integrated, and buying unbalanced to balanced adapters could cancel out the small gain by going with unbalanced inputs.

LoomisJ Good recommendation, but I was informed several times by members that using an "outboarded" DAC with the Rega Apollo would yield marginal improvements....and that was three years ago I looked at and considered a shit load of DAC from Micromega, Musical Fidelity, Rega; Sim Audio PS Audio and at least a dozen others. I say "considered" but did not try I did not want to get on the ship andtry merry go round. Shipping from Hawaii to the mainland is expensive.

Therefore, if anyone has ever used an outboarded DAC for the one in Apollo, let me know the results, but please remember I am looking to make a major upgrade in sound Thank again to all who have responded!!!