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Upgrade my CD player or futile effort?

I would appreciate you guys input. I listen to 90% vinyl  and 10% CDs due to a lot of new music I get into only comes out on CDs. My analog system sounds fantastic to my ears but unfortunately my digital falls short. My analog system consists of:
-VPI Classic 1 TT
-Lyra Kleos cart
-PS Audio Stellar phono preamp
-Prima Luna 100 preamp
-Parasound Halo A21+ amp
-PBN Montana XPS speakers
-Dual Rythmick
F-12 subs
My CD player is a Marantz CD6005 running through my analog system.
Compared to my vinyl, overall the sound from my CDs lacks the depth and definition in bass, comes short in the soundstage and overall space in presentation and does not have the
same clarity in treble.
If I rate my analog sound a 9, I would rate my digital CD a 7.
My question is, would I benefit from a better CD player, even so the CD6005 is no slouch, or am I gonna end up in a goose chase?
I realize my CDs may never sound as good as my vinyl, but I would try to improve it if you guys think it would be worth the effort. Are there really some outstanding CD players out there that can measure up to vinyl? Personal experiences only please, do not need sales pitches by equipment associations you may have never listened to. Also all my cabling and room setup is a 10 to me with the analog so I wouldn't change any of that for my CD player listening.  Thanks.

128x128baylinor
mesch
3,480 posts
 
You do have a very nice Analog rig. I was always a pro analog guy till 2011 when I went digital. 

My only thought is that you might try a r2r DAC with a tube output stage. You could use your 6005 as a transport. Possible upgrade the transport later should  you find the DAC is taking you in the right direction. 

I own a Audio Mirror Tubadour III DAC, paring it with a CXC transport. The AM is r2r and has a tube output stage. It did much to improve the sonic qualities you are looking for. Can't say how it would compete against analog in your system.

I 
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,926 posts
 
+1 @mesch

Considering the limited choice of CDP's and the # of DACS now offered, this is the way to go for digital, unless you stream. Then too I have heard that often the cdp's sound better than streaming. I can tell you from experience that streaming in not as easy as it sounds unless you put a lot of $$$ into it and the software

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,595 posts
 
Nice analog however digital is all about the DAC. Until you find one you like you are in the weeds.
yakbob
468 posts
 
Your analog components retail at approximately $6000 (TT, Cart, and phono pre), and you're comparing the sound to a $550 CD player. Assuming your analog equipment upgrade path resulted in better sound (a 9), why would your digital front end be any different? Would you say your analog path was futile?

What's your digital budget in order to reach a "9" to match your analog front end?
baylinor's avatar
baylinor OP
1,407 posts
 
I much appreciate the input so far since my digital knowledge is limited. As I am unsure of the improvements a DAC will bring to my CDP, what about starting with the Denafrips Ares II? I am currently not interested about all the bells and whistles since my only concern is to improve the sound of the CDP. The CDP has an optical out, the dac an optical in and rca connects for my prima luna preamp. Simple enough. What do you think, would that be enough to upgrade my digital sound? I can always go more expensive later if this works.
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