Older Cd Players vs. new ones

Rogue Metis Pre
Classe CA 300 Power
Usher 6371 speakers (just sold some Magnepan 1.6)
Kimber Kables
Music Hall mmf-7.1/grado reference
audio research ph3 phono pre

Also, I always forget my REL Strata 3

You're certainly entitled to your opinion on the subject, but my experience has been just the opposite.

For what it's worth, not to long ago, Stereophile released a list of what they felt where audio equipment classics.

The main criteria they used was the unit's ability to stand the test of time, and still hold it's own today.

To my surprise and many others, their list completely omitted any categories for digital playback.

After many subscribers wrote in to complain, they explained that because digital playback had improved by such a large margin, pretty much on an annual basis over the last 10 years or so, that none of the truly great players of yesteryear could even compete with a modestly good player today.

I have a Pioneer PD-65 in my 2nd system. It has been an extremely reliable and well built unit that has always worked flawlessly. It feeds a mid 90's Audio Alchemy DTI PRO/ DDE V3.0 d/a converter. I have kept all of the above, because nothing I have tried in the past 3 years at a retail price of $1500 or less has been any better. I have the output of the PD-65 feeding one input on my preamp and the Audio Alchemy feeding another. While the PD-65 sounds decent, the AA gear sounds much more natural and real. The PD-65 is a good transport. I recommend you consider a good D/A converter that caters to your sonic requirements and use it with the PD-65

"For what it's worth, not to long ago, Stereophile released a list of what they felt where audio equipment classics."

Stereophile was in a fog during the 90's. Get some back issues and read them. I almost lost faith in hi fi from their antics of the 1990's.

FR