Hi Jeff, thanks for a great post. Like you I found sd's comments really interesting. I agree with him that improving your interconnects would give you more music. I went from UHF magazine's recommendations ( Van den Hul The Second, Wireworld Equinox ) to Ensemble Masterflux. Here's what I told the gentleman (an Agon'er) who sold them to me :
(CDP to preamp) Artifacts diminished, female voice became rounder and more three-dimensional. I hadn't noticed before, but the music had been layered and flat-sounding, like a Disney cartoon background. Now it was filling out. The second Masterflux cable (preamp to amp) provided still more of the same kind of improvement : more dimension and naturalness. Harmonies and timbres became more subtle and relaxing, and the music made more sense. Digital artifacts were far less present.
I think you know Pierre Royer. He demoed some of his own handmade cables for me and they made a very nice difference too, at a good price.
Last, if I were changing components in your system, I would look at sources. A good MC cartridge--nothing under a Benz Glider--and a new phono stage would make a big difference. I switched my Copland CTA-301 for a Klyne SK-5A mostly to get the phono, and I love it. But then I'm a source kind of guy. Finally, IMHO your CDP could use an upgrade. Mine is now a Shanling CD-T100 with NOS tubes, and say, if you'd like to come over and spin some wax, you'd be welcome.
(CDP to preamp) Artifacts diminished, female voice became rounder and more three-dimensional. I hadn't noticed before, but the music had been layered and flat-sounding, like a Disney cartoon background. Now it was filling out. The second Masterflux cable (preamp to amp) provided still more of the same kind of improvement : more dimension and naturalness. Harmonies and timbres became more subtle and relaxing, and the music made more sense. Digital artifacts were far less present.
I think you know Pierre Royer. He demoed some of his own handmade cables for me and they made a very nice difference too, at a good price.
Last, if I were changing components in your system, I would look at sources. A good MC cartridge--nothing under a Benz Glider--and a new phono stage would make a big difference. I switched my Copland CTA-301 for a Klyne SK-5A mostly to get the phono, and I love it. But then I'm a source kind of guy. Finally, IMHO your CDP could use an upgrade. Mine is now a Shanling CD-T100 with NOS tubes, and say, if you'd like to come over and spin some wax, you'd be welcome.