With a new hi-rez format being the real improvement in digital sound...I wouldnt recommend blowing your wad on a conventional "redbook" player at the moment(why pigeon hole yourself...flexibility is the key in my book)...by far the cheapest componet in my system is a Sony SACD/cd player...I happened to go that route because my old digital source was just that...old...and I agree...source is important...but to really make a quantum leap in sound...you have to have speakers and electronics that would reveal any improvements to begin with...
