I'm taking votes

speakers definitly before CD.

Why?

I think the CD format is not advanced enough to warrant the $ for the performance and technology offered. By the time you have broken in the speakers something elso digital will be available, save your money that is my vote.

CD, various sampling rates, HDCD, DVDa, SACD... ?

Should you consider investing into your listening room, or is it in tip-top shape as well?

No digital is worth $20k when it will probably be surpassed in 2 years or so for probably a lot less. I am sure the CD12 is an awesome CD player, but there is other digital that will get you close for less. Even a lot less.

Unless I had about $12k to burn (cause in 2-3 years I imagine you will be able to sell the unit for around $8k... net loss $12k if you buy it retail), I would think very hard about investing this kind of $$$ in digital.

Now $20k in a turntable setup (or amplification, preamplification, or even speakers)... This is an ENTIRELY different story.

I'd consider doing it with speakers. Not sure what I would demo in that price range.

KF

Thsalmon, as a Linn CD-12 owner i would recommend that you consider what your current priorites and future directions are. will you be upgrading you whole system over time? how confident of your present amps and speakers are you that you see that direction for a long time?

when i bought my CD-12 almost 3 years ago i wanted to buy my last cd player. i was convinced that the best one-box player would outperform any separate transport/dac and that multiple-format units would be compromises. so far, i have not heard better than the CD-12 from anything. (i have the latest 24 bit CD-12 which is a little better than the original 20 bit CD-12) i love the way the CD-12 works and expect it to hold it's own for years to come.

so i was comfortable that the CD-12 would justify it's cost in the long run, which has turned out to be the case. at the time i bought the CD-12 i was not considering other amp/speaker directions but was wanting to get off the digital upgrade merry-go-round....which i did.

if you have a large collection of cds then it will make each one better. i would also add that the CD-12 is still one of the coolest pieces of audio jewelry to ever come along.....which doesn't hurt.

there is no one way to go.....but having an anchor component that you can build around would be a very good way to go.

Thsalmon: The CD12 is an excellent player. Personally I like the Audio Aero Capitole MK II (which I sell) a bit better, but they are fairly close.

I would recomend not spending the money on the CD12 as digital IS changing fairly quickly. The next generation of SACD players should be out very shortly and the last thing I would want is the possibility of owning an obsolete $20k CD player. Sorry Mike. :(

If you consider the Audio Aero Capitole, it also gives you the ability to run direct without your preamp. It is great for most people, but since you run multiple sources, it may not be the benefit it is to most. Hmmm.

I would say either:

1. Audio Aero Capitole MK II and an Anaconda vX or Elrod EPS 2 Sig power cord and pocket the rest of the money.

2. Wait to see what happens with Linn's new universal player.

3. Upgrade the speakers if you feel they lack in any way.
The WB Chimeras are a definite improvement over the ACT 1's, but you may want to try and listen to the Kharma 3.2 Reference Monitors. They are amazing!

Good Luck and your system in not bad as it sits. :)