i want better sounding speakers

Maineiac, about that iPod demo ( the Wilson Audio one, I presume you mean ). Can you tell me, was Mr. Wilson using MP3 or Redbook-PCM coded source files, do you know? It would obviously make a large difference to the significance of that demo.

Beemerrider ( nice bike ) I agree you have to find speakers you like ( and how to buy them ). That's part of the game. This hobby is a job of learning, as Jesseo1 sees quite clearly. There is indeed a great variation between speakers and it takes time to learn what they are and which variety you prefer. You might as well do that learning with the least-coloured, highest-resolution source you can find, in my view. It's just more fun that way.

Source material varies too, that's true. Again I feel you might as well learn what's good using a player that can get as much data off the disc as possible.

Of course that doesn't mean you should never upgrade anything but your source. When you start out, though, you know you're going to be spending some time with gear that is not yet your dream setup. In my experience, it's more fun saving money when the source is what you love than when the speakers are your best girl ( or boy if that's your taste ).

Jessio, I agree with the last couple of members. Speakers and amplification maybe the most important links in a audiophile system nowadays.I have been a self-defined audiophile for years and have gone through three decades of "progress"! From "Pink Triangle" turntables to Nakamichi Dragon cassette decks. Since the advent of Digital music the source is not nearly as imporant as it was 20 years ago.
Most good cd players use the same components from mass manufacturers. Burr-Brown converters, Sony laser pick-ups etc. That leaves esoteric issues like chassis stability, ergonomics and circuit design.
I would whole heartedly recommend Sonus Faber Grand Pianos.
For the money, you cannot get a better speaker. Take your amplifier to your local Sonus dealer and audition them against a standardized source. You will be thankful you did.
The quality of music from the same music system can vary depending on ambient noise, ear wax status, and a full stomach.Not to mention the distortion changes in atmospheric temperature and pressure can produce. People argue about changes in sound quality from merely changing interconnects. So I am sure changing the source, i.e. a CD player can make a difference.
All I am saying is, it may be time to challenge conventional wisdom...and instead of first picking the best source money can buy , one may be better off spending that money on quality speakers and amplification equipment (with a standardised CD source). And then for the final link compare different CD players (source) and pick the best value for money. Or stick with the source you have.

Tobias, yes, it was the Wilson IPOD demo I was referring to, but I am not aware of the details. Either way it reinforces the point that Mr. Wilson was making. I do agree with your point that starting with a great source is more likely to get you to a better overall set-up at the end. In some cases it makes sense to get the best you can get at each step and that may mean not starting with the source.

it may be time to challenge conventional wisdom

Eusmani, with respect, I thought my point of view was the minority one. In other words, I believe the conventional wisdom says spend all your dough on speakers. That's what you hear in the box and mid-fi stores.

Of course if these guys even have gear on demo it's set up so that it all sounds the same anyway.

I don't know why this is the conventional "wisdom", maybe it's because when you buy speakers you get two of them, hee hee. I remember my best buddy back in 1961 telling me that speakers were responsible for 35% of the distortion in a system, cartridges the same, amps ten per cent, yada yada. So you should spend the most on cartridges and speakers. Of course today we have advanced to levels of more perfect sound and don't need cartridges any more. That leaves speakers, and the market sure seems to support a lot of them.

Breakdown of sound of a system:

Speakers - 35%
Source - 35%
Amp - 25%
Pre-amp - 20%
Cables - 10%

And this doesn't even include the room! See how confusing this hobby can get?