2. digital
  3. 1285169369

CD player how much to invest

I sometimes wonder should I invest more in digital playback in the future. My current CD transport is a CEC TL51x with a Wadia 12 DAC.
From shows and visits to friends I have learned that there are better CD players out there then my combo, but at what price. The AMR CD-777, is a little better but at €4000 twice the cost. The AMR CD-77 and Nagra CDP are even better still but they cost 10 times or more then my combo.

But is it worth the investment even if I had the money. I believe that with say €2000 you can buy a good CD player That is maybe 90% of a €10.000 CD player.

However I do think that speakers and turntables have a higher return on investment sonic wise. A friend of mine will bring his Jadi Symphonia with Electraglide powercord + Harmonic Tech Magic Link I interlink. To compare. I somehow doubt it will be much better, it may be different but better I don't know.

I am wrong to think that? Are more expesive CD player really a lot better then mid priced and if so how come?

Sorry for my rant, but when I was thinking about upgrading my set and maybe buy an other CD player would it be worth the money? Will I hear a difference etc.
mordante
mordante OP
511 posts
 
Cmalak,

I know it is a highly subjective question. It was or better yet it is something I myself am struggling with. I all boys I like new toys. So I would love to buy a new CDP, a shiny new toy. But then?
If I were to buy a Wadia 12 plus CEC TL51x I would have to spend about €2000, a Nagra CDT is about €12000. I think in most cases spending the difference of €10k anywhere else in an audio system, amps, turntable, phono amp, speaker etc will yield a better result
Now I'm not saying this is true. It is something I currently believe, and like all believe whether religious or audio believes need to be challenged.

So who will challenge me?
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
Ironically, the only other forums that I've participated on that have less concensus are religious forums. It amazes me how similar the discussions in audio and religion really are. The biggest difference is that there isn't a judgement day where we will find out who's audio system is really the best.
fafafion
190 posts
 
Mordante;

1."But is it worth the investment"-Only you can decide;In my case it was a firm Yes.

2. "That is maybe 90% of a €10.000 CD player"-.true.BUT,isn't in true for everything else too?

3."Are more expesive CD player really a lot better then mid priced "..OF COURSE!!!!Without a shadow of a doubt!!Of course the rest of your equipments must be up to it too

4."if so how come?"many reasons,mainly better power supply,better parts,better brains designing them ,etc...

I think you should really put dcs Puccini ,Neodio,and Wadia in your list .
fafafion
190 posts
 
"However I do think that speakers and turntables have a higher return on investment sonic "-I beg to differ.I think the law of diminishing return is true for almost alll the equipments,especially loudspeakers..

"I somehow doubt it will be much better, it may be different but better I don't know."-The same is ESPECIALLY true for loudspeakers too
mordante OP
511 posts
 
For about $12k you can buy a Nagra CDT. The Boulder 1021 is about €24k I have heard them both at a dealer show. Now to be honest I don't think the Boulder is a lot better. Not even sure if it is better at all. So the difference is about $12K. That difference will buy a set of Sonus Faber Amati instead of the Guarneri, etc. The difference between $12k and $24K speakers is IHMO a lot bigger bigger then $12k CD player and a $24K CD player. I think at a certain price point audio doesn't get much better just a different taste.
More to discover