Should I change my CD player ?

Hi Larryken

Even if I do like the sound of my system a lot, I kind of wonder if the synergy of an all Ayre system could surpass the sound of my system with the Wadia. I guess I just want to make sure I am not missing anything.

I just bought the CX-7E (previously had SCD 777ES) and it has transformed my system - much more enjoyable overall and worth every penny. That said, for your excellent system/speakers I would step it up to the CX-5, if that fits your needs. If you're still just interested in CD only I feel the Meridian G08 is a step up in transparency/detail, frequency extremes, and smoothness from the CX-7 for just a bit more money (note, I could have bought either but I liked the Ayre in my system and it better fit my budget).

As a big fan of Wadia I would try the Wadia direct into your amp. also steve huntley offers a few mods for your Wadia.

Going from the wadia its hard to get something better, its all got to do with the flavor you are looking for. If you want less definition go to something softer ie. tube cd player, if you want more analytical and flat go to sony, but wadia is dead neutral and very dynamic digital output, its that type of a thing, basically with this level of equipment its tuning it to your taste, not really what is a better unit, because nothing is universally perfect and yes System Synergy is gonna play the biggest factor, so if the wadia is perfect matched with a Boulder amplifier, it may not be with the Ayre sound, maybe a spectral Cd player is better with the ayre, etc... do not take that literal, but just for reference, gotta find the right recipe for you, maybe you do not like Garlic, see what I'm Saying :).

The CD Player's change must come from within.

Sigmund