Kiwi, I don't see why a better CDP should solve what Noelpastor described? The Plnius amp has a specific sound, i rather invest in a better amp than another CDP.
The Accuphase DP500 that I have may be slightly on the warm side of neutral, but only very slightly. It is also quite resolved. I have other CDPs at my disposal including the well regarded CAL Alpha-Delta (heavily modded and NOS retubed). While the souped-up CAL is very good, the DP500 is more accomplished all around.
To me the only way to compensate the darkish pairing of the 9200 and C1 is to feed it with a really bright CDP.
03-11-11: Inpieces Kiwi, I don't see why a better CDP should solve what Noelpastor described? The Plnius amp has a specific sound, i rather invest in a better amp than another CDP.
A better CDP was not the point I was trying to make. Nothing wrong with the Accuphase per se. The point is that one often hears descriptions of "amplifier sound" which in many instances is really more correctly attributable to the character of the upstream hardware.
So which amp did you go with? Have not heard the 9200, have heard a Plinius amp, quite nice. Certain you can't go too far astray with either, but I would choose the Mac and in fact did.
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