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New amp or new cd player?

With which will i see a bigger improvement in my sound. I have a Mcintosh MA6450 integrated, Gallo 3.1 speakers, and an onkyo dv-sp404 dvd/cd player. Monster interconnects, and transparent music wave speaker cable.

Obviously my weakest link is the onkyo dvd player as a cd player. I was thinking about upgrading it to a naim cd 5i or classe cdp-102. However, I also know that my amp could be more powerful as it is 100wpc into 4ohms, but only 50/75? wpc in to my 8ohm gallo 3.1's.

My question is.. with which change will i see a greater improvemt? In my currently living sitatuon, the mcintosh easily powers my speakers louder than i can play them for an extended amount of time, but will more power equate to more bass? I was thinking about the Classe cap-2100, but will this result in more bass, and better imaging/soundstage/etc, or simply the ability to play louder, which i dont really need.

As for the cd player, I have a hard time believing a cd player can make THAT big of a difference (I am new to this high end audio stuff), although I know they must because all I have read on here and other places around the internet. Although I have also read that a decent cdp used as a transport, and a dac such as the bel canto dac 2, sound nearly as good as some of the very good cd players out there.

So.. long story short.. would i see a bigger improvement if i keep the onkyo as my cdp, and upgrade the amp, or if i keep the mac 6450 and upgrade the cdp?

James
farjamed
farjamed OP
33 posts
 
Jylee: Assuming all entry level cdps around 1500-2000 sound the same, i would also assume they sound much better than my 150$ onkyo dvd/cdp?

i am more confused now because it seems everyone has a different opinion, and i pretty much have different people suggesting almost every possibility. haha. not that im complaining. i am glad to have so much input on this topic. thanks everyone.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Definitely do your front end first.

Although I have also read that a decent cdp used as a transport, and a dac such as the bel canto dac 2, sound nearly as good as some of the very good cd players out there.

You might also want to look into PC Audio if that holds any allure to you (having your entire music collection at your fingertips. If done right that method can also sound better than "very good CD players". Yes, you certainly could get a nice DAC and use your current transport, or a better one. A great DAC will make a significant difference to my ears. I don't know how discriminating you are. My wife couldn't care less about this stuff and claims to hear little difference. It's in the ears of the beholder, as it were. It would not be difficult to improve upon an older Onkyo DVD player IMO. To clarify what may be confusing you: Your CD/DVD player already contains a DAC inside. If you used it as a transport you would be bypassing the use of that internal DAC by sending the digital output signal to an external DAC (assuming it has a digital output) via a cable. By all means, it can make a big difference. I'd probably go for a better transport too, especially if yours is old. If you don't have much experience in these realms, I'd suggest you go to a dealer, or to an audio show where you can hear a few examples and see if the differences made in an investment in your front end actually matter to you (or that you can hear them at all). If you have a friend, or a local audiophile club, or anyone who might be patient enough to demonstrate to you what potential may be there for you that would be a big step in the right direction and may save you money, and or open up new worlds.
jylee
306 posts
 

Assuming all entry level cdps around 1500-2000 sound the same, i would also assume they sound much better than my 150$ onkyo dvd/cdp?

I didn't say they sound the same. It's all about the diminishing return of the investment. What I have suggested is to spend around $500 to buy an entry level dedicated CDP, and use the rest on other area. CDPs with modern design and good quality parts such as Cambridge Audio or even Onkyo DX-7555 are very well received, and you'll probably hear immediate improvement. However, the incremental difference in sound quality between those $500 CDP and $1500 CDP is probably going to be smaller than the difference between $1500 and $2500 amps. If you have higher budget, say $3000, then sure, go ahead and buy $1500 CDP. If your budget is $1500, don't spend them all on one component.
samhar
1,048 posts
 
Changing your CDP will make a huge difference and replacing the Monster Cable I/C's will have just as large an affect on the quality of sound. A Raysonic 128, one on Agon for $1175 OBO, is a good player for the price plus you can modify the sound by rolling tubes, a big plus IMO. You would still have $200-300 to spend on I/C's( Transparent Music Link ?) and this would bring the rest of your system up to the level of the Gallo's and Mac, you don't know how good these are because the CDP and I/C are so poor. These changes will blow you away with the improvement and put a BIG smile on your face!!!
ryder
1,687 posts
 
For your setup definitely the CDP first. Soundstage, imaging and 3-D realism will be improved by leaps and bounds depending on the quality of the player. You may hear sounds that have not been heard previously from your CDs as detail is improved. Good quality recordings will benefit the most with a good source, and you may find poor quality recordings especially rock music CDs sound worse in comparison to your existing DVD player due to the added detail.

For an audio enthusiast, there will be a perceived difference in changing the CDP.
For a non-audio enthusiast, there wouldn't be any difference and they will all sound just the same.
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