What gives? CD’s, Solid State?

Mapman - ""I'm starting to believe that first impressions about audio equipment are quite close to the final opinion." I think that's debatable at best. Peoples impressions change over time with familiarity and so does the sound of new equipment.

I agree with you conceptually, of course, but in practice the question is a matter of degrees. Break-in and increased familiarity are marginal increases; the initial impression sets the baseline. If you hate a piece of equipment on first hearing, things aren't going to get enough better to make one enthusiastic.

i have tube preamp (quad QC24) and quad909 poweramp. i love this combo, since i have the benefit of both sides. even with a low end cdp, the music shines and has presence and soul. i think you need good and matching tube preamp. i heard only apollo, but i think even that cdp is good enough. it's a matter of taste, but for me the rega speakers are smooth but lacking a tight bass (for me). one more thoght: marantz sacdp -esp. on sacd- are quite analog-ish sounding and not 'over-analitical', and sacd is definitely closer to vinyl experience.

I too used to have a CJ tube amp also (an MV55 w/ PV10). I've also used a Pass Labs class A single ended solid state and now use Rega RS3 w/ Elicit. Simple answer is there is just no way you are going to get that blooming midrange warmth you loved about the CJ from the Rega. What you will get is much better bass response, and clearer sound that is also free of the upper range (treble mainly) distortion tubes have. In direct comparison with the solid state pass labs the most notable thing was the total absence of any grit, grain and distortion in the treble relative to the tube amp. What the CJ had was more body and impact in the midrange- but in the rest of the spectrum the Pass was superior and the Pass midrange was still good, just not as good as the CJ. I abandoned tubes and class A solid state amps as much for practical considerations as sonic ones. That brought me to the Elicit Integrated. For me the Rega system sounds neither tubey or solid state sterile- it is uncoloured but remains open, coherent and musical. I notice where it falls short relative of tubes, but also where it shines. I have used the saturn but prefer the Jupiter 2000, the Saturn is a little unforgiving of some cd's and is very neutral through the midrnage whereas the Jupiter adds more body- which I prefer for cd playback. I am one of a minority who feel that Regas newer players actually represent a step back- I like the original planet and the Jupiter 2000 better than the Apollo or Saturn. I find their older players to be much closer to analog.

I think there's a simple answer here. If you still have records, get a turntable. If not, proceed using the advice already given and try to get the most out of your digital/SS rig.
Besides, I would make an educated guess that 90% of your problem was that your new speakers hadn't broke in yet.
Also, in case nobody has mentioned it, SS gear likes to be left powered on. So leave it on, unless you know you won't be listening at all for the next 2 or 3 days.

Cheers.

Tom