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Help CDP over vinyl upgrade advice please

The last few years I have been keen on vinyl, as I found even my mid-level TT (Denon 62L with DL103R) to better the sound I get from my CDP and most CD material. I'm using two systems- switched at will from several sources. One system is Altec 604D drivers in vintage teakwood cabinets pushed by 300B SET. The other is smaller Dynaudio monitors driven by EL34 push-pull. Subwoofer used mostly with the Altecs.

I find the vinyl rig to outshine my trusty old Sony X7esd cdp and would like to know if a suitable upgrade to close the gap is available. I also use a Sony sacd rig- the sa-333 I think it is- it is quite improved in sacd format- but can't redbook quality be better? Main advancements desired are better dynamics , also a more 'live and dimensional' sound. My main beef with most cd's is a lack of interest. I put them on and then lose interest ;-)

Looking to spend under $1200-1500 either used or new to get results. Hoping for a quantum leap forward, otherwise I'll probably stay on the vinyl trail.

Have I bumped into the old cd vs vinyl differences? or can a better CDP be attained with todays tech improvements?

CDP must be front loader not top. Any thoughts on the tubed CDP's currently available?

Thanks for your help...
128x128rwbadley
carloscotland
25 posts
 
I live in UK and I can give you a little advice as far as CPD's are concerned in here; A nice little valve-cdp could be the shanling cd-t80, I haven't listened to it yet but I'm familiar with shanling gear and it should be very good.
The Rega Apollo however is one for the shortlis as it is a hi-fi bargain; the feel is a bit plasticky but looks and sound to die for; looks best in black mind you.
It is very clean, great midrange and has super-extended HF;a bit bass-shy but oh-boy the sound...a much more expensive machine it sounds I can tell you.
At £500 in UK (I thin around $700ca. in US) you can't really go wrong, especially on a budget is a no-brainer-decision.
I was unfortunate enough to live with a cheap Sony CDP-SACD for a while and it sounded horrendous; personally my laptop with Audigy soundcard is miles miles better than that, so when you have buried the Sony in your back garden, go out and listen to the Rega.
Interconnects from Townshend DCT 100 should work well I guess at £ 100.
Top loaded and grrrreat...
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
Spiro

No offense taken. I was simply making a comment and I realize your comment was a generalization and not pointed at me specically. I have yet to hear great vinyl and it is a little (alot) frustrating when everyone talks about how great it is. After reading these threads maybe I am expecting to much. When set up properly and played through high quality equipment it does sound very good don't get me wrong. But I still prefer digital.

I have on occasion considered buying a TT mostly to play the 100+ albums currently in storage in my basement. And also because I find some of the TT designs to be very beautiful mechanical works of art; must be the mechanical engineer in me.

And in the end your are right to each his own.

Chuck
spiro
115 posts
 
Hi Chuck, I've not even heard vinyl that would make me
reconsider CD. So I am missing out on what one could
imagine is a remarkable experience. I have a Nakamichi
TT, and haven't put the new Gratto on it yet.
I am also one of those "last 100 records" folks.
Though I don't have the bucks, I'm told the newest Cary
players should put that question to rest for many. :)
On the other hand, I had a tubed output CAL here, (the
model name started with a T) and thought that CALs
"Tersette" ($1000 less than the "T" tube unit") had it
all over that thing. I know tube rolling could make a
great diff, but that's 20/20. I'd think thatTung-Sol's
would have done it. But so it goes. Glad I didn't
offend.
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