2. digital
  3. 1082746546

Upgrading the Source.

I've slowly built a two channel system from the time I was 16. First starting with a simple Yamaha/psb combo till now...some 10years later to a SimAudio Moon i-5080, Polk Audio LSi 9 speakers and NAD 541i CDP. The Moon was the last upgrade and thus the NAD 541i, even only a year old, is the weakest link. I've come to the conclusion that small upgrades will cost me more down the road.

I'm an avid reader of UHF magazine and I relate to the importance of source first. What I need is some opinions on possible upgrades. Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Naim, NAD silver, Rotel, Shanling, Linn the list seems endless.

What I can tell you is that I could see myself one day, getting that final Intergrated amp like the SimAudio i-5. Possibly 3 years from now, no earlier then 2. The CDP I need should come up to the standards of the associated gear I'm using now, and also allow for further growth with speakers. I DO however feel this will be my last CD player, untill a higher res formatt like SACD takes off. Perhaps the Shanling S200 with the Chris Johnson upgrade?

I even wonder if higher priced players then the one I have now like the Rotel 1070 are even worth the bother. Again, I'm very happy with the Polk Audio LSi 9 speakers (some of the most underrated speakers on the market, and rightly so from a big market speaker company) I want the jump UP to count. Please help steer me into a narrower path.
lush
andy2
1,545 posts
 
If you're into underdog and underrated stuffs, then try the Nad S500i CDP. There is one on sale on Audiogon for 775.00. I still don't understand why this cdp doesn't get the attention that it deserves. Actually, it does receive some good press in the UK but over in the states, it is virtually unknown. Perhaps it is not the most hyperdetail machines that most people are looking for, but extremely musical and sweet. I used to own an older version nad s500 and it made me forget there was a cdp in the room.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
"worth the bother?" That all depends on your tympanics. I would upgrade your system, firstly, by ditching other things, rather than your Rotel. If you think your Rotel is the end all in source material, you gots some serious listening to do. peace, warren
ohlala
1,235 posts
 
Warrenh, his CDP is an NAD.

Being your final CDP, I would consider those CDPs you can audition in your system and more importantly in a system that is more and quite revealing without a monetary penalty. The pain of the source-first approach is that the CDP is going to "hide" under your current rig more than an upgraded one. In addition, the differences between CDPs can come across as subtle enough to ignore, but day-in-day-out, those differences become important and become more overt as you upgrade. Kind of obvious, but laying out for you to consider.

Personally, I like my Cary 303-100. Its a very non-offensive CDP due it nice tone and rolled off highs, but has good detail. I believe it is "undervalued" ($3k msrp v. sub $1k used) in the used market because of its replacement, the 303-200, and the 308s. You may not like in your system, though.
More to discover