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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
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Ohlala corrected me about your Rotel comments. Knowing that, I , wouldn't do a darn thing. Once you seriously upgrade any one of your components, that will begin the audiophoolish world of total system change over. We all suffer from this disorder. I started with an Audio Magic power conditioner. That lead to a complete change of everything (down to ICs and power cords, as well) in my system, and even came full circle to replacing my AM Stealth with an AM Eclipse. Go figure. Enjoy your tunes. A serious upgrade in a cdp will leave you disappointed, unless you're ready to go the whole 9. just a little fwiw....peace, warren
ohlala
1,235 posts
 
Warrenh, I believe the Cary was among the some of the earlier generation of analogue-like CPDs, which rolled off the highs. My understanding is that the AA doesn't have that drawback. I bet its good, and I should note here that for a reason too complex to get in to here, the Cary is the only "high end" player I have heard in my system.
lush OP
262 posts
 
Warrenh - I have been upgrading for some time, and will continue to do so. Right now the CDP imho is the weakest link. The Polk LSi speakers and SimAudio amp should get me through for a bit longer. The CDP from NAD is replaceable. Down the road I could see myself with an i-5 as my intergrated. And god knows what for speakers. But that is the direction I'm headed in. If you wouldn't upgrade the CDP then what would you upgrade first?
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Everybody has their own way. I believe that if you make a serious upgrade of any component it will just show up, as a rule, the inherent weaknesses of your other components. That has been my experience. I don't have a clue to your budget. That is, certainly, a major factor. That being said, I usually start with the speakers and go from their. Starting with the source is probably sounder advice, but I have never gone that way.
lush OP
262 posts
 
I understand your logic. But I'll still always start with the source. As for right now, the budget would be around $1500-2k CDN for the new CDP. The small bookshelve speakers I'm using retail for $1500 CDN factoring in another $500 that the stands cost, the jump in price for performance really begins to leap. The Polk's outperformed most of the other bookshelves I auditioned, Energy Veritas, PSB stratus, Paradigm Studio's, Monitor Audio. I even liked them better then a couple pairs of Totems I've heard. So for right now, I'm still thinking CDP. The money spent on suitable upgrades from the set I'm using right now would be well into the $2500-3K mark CDN. And that's a Jump I really only want to make down the road (2 years)

Right now a CDP jump from $700-$1500 makes more sense. But I'm always willing to not only listen with my ears but advice from others.
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