I agree about curbing expenditures on CD players; a decent transport can be had for not too much and more $$ can be spent on a good DAC, either external or as part of a preamp or integrated. I did this with a deal on a Cambridge CXC transport ($300) and an MHDT Orchid DAC ($1100, which also processes my streamer).
I'm presently shopping for speakers; there are tremendous values out there. It's not hard to find a $2500 speaker (new) for much less. The trick is to know what you like first, to avoid return shipping or re-sale. (How are your local options?) There are good direct companies that have pretty forgiving try-out policies.
Perhaps you're already set up for these things but... power, cables, wire, all matter. I shopped carefully and exclusively for used items -- Analysis Plus, mostly and Pangea for power -- and I got them for an average of 44% off list.
I'm presently shopping for speakers; there are tremendous values out there. It's not hard to find a $2500 speaker (new) for much less. The trick is to know what you like first, to avoid return shipping or re-sale. (How are your local options?) There are good direct companies that have pretty forgiving try-out policies.
Perhaps you're already set up for these things but... power, cables, wire, all matter. I shopped carefully and exclusively for used items -- Analysis Plus, mostly and Pangea for power -- and I got them for an average of 44% off list.