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Upgrade Path: CDP or Preamp

Howdy,
I'm a little perplexed. I've got the upgrade bug and I'm not sure how to proceed. I would like to augment my system by replacing either the CDP or the preamp. I'm not sure which one will improve the system's sound the most and give me the best sonic improvement for my money. I, of course, can replace one then the other, but which one should I replace first? For auguments sake my budget is around 1000 bucks for either component. I love jazz and of course a variety of current and classic rock. I mostly listen to cd's but I do have a turntable and a bunch of albums (these are less convenient to use since they've been relegated to the basement). I also use the tuner quite a bit for backround listening (the tuner in my preamp is poor, but I have a classic Mitsubishi analog tuner in another system I would use when I replaced the preamp). Overall the sound is good, minus the tuner. I know it can be better. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks in advance for your responses.

My system:
Denon DCM 370 changer sitting on a set of Vibrapods
Music Hall MMF 7 TT w/ Goldring Eroica Cartridge
Creek OBH 8SE MM phono preamp
B&K PT3 preamp/tuner
Odyssey Stratos amp w/ cap upgrade
B&W CDM 9NT's
Van Den Hul D102 III IC's connecting cdp to pre to amp
Monster something or other connecting phono pre to preamp
Monster 12 gauge speaker wire.
hammergjh
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
I always argue that a person should start at the source and work back to the speakers.

You will realize the improvement in sound by getting a better pre-amp, but you will not be getting more signal off of the CDs.

Buy the best source you can afford so you will be getting the best possible signal. When you upgrade other pieces later you will learn how much they were restricting the signal. When you buy a new pre-amp you will get better sound especially in the range you are operating now. The bigger improvement though will be experienced with the CDP upgrade.

Personally I would spend $1000 on a cartridge for the Turntable! But that's just me.
avalon65
20 posts
 
Synergy, synergy, synergy! Ditch the pre-amp and replace it with an Odyssey Tempest. It's the perfect match for your Stratos. With a few more dollars you can upgrade your DAC or get a Music Hall CD25, they are always popping up.
hammergjh OP
157 posts
 
Hi everyone. I am not dissatisfied w/ my TT. This is a keeper, sounds fine. Although, ergonomically, it's a little funky (it sits on only 3 feet and tends to tip when I lift up the dust cover). I'm really thinking along the lines of upgrading the CDP and preamp. If the new preamp has a phono section, fine, I can sell the creek. I'm not sure how good the Creek is, it's supposed to have a good rep, though. I have nothing to compare it too.

Still listening, and thanks.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I would recommend upgrading the CDP. One option might be to mod your Denon to make it a good transport and then purchase a modded DAC, such as the Perpetual P-3A or Musical Fidelity. You should be in the $1500 range to do this right. This combo will blow-away any stock CDP.

Finding a decent preamp is a more difficult thing to do. Even some of the best are still lacking in dynamics and extension. I use a heavily modified Mark Levinson #38.
hammergjh OP
157 posts
 
Resolution (temporary?)
Man, did I catch hell last night. I came home w/ a new Rotel RCD1072. My wife just glowered at me. Why did I pick the Rotel? It was available new in my area and not overly expensive (about 630 bucks). It is well built and got some good reviews. One needs to balance performance, WAF and $$$. The dealer, Spearitsound in Boston, has plenty of high end equipment ($75,000 for a pair of Siltech 80 w/ch tube monoblocks?), but I knew I wasn't going to spend the $1500 for the Cary 308, among others. So I settled for this one. Initial impressions are good. It is definitely smoother than my Denon, but subtilely so. I'll need a good week to really evaluate the unit. Time will tell.

Thanks all for responding.

Is a DAC in the future?
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