Looking to Upgrade my CDP

It's been my experience that those old CDs you speak of may just be beyond saving. Like you say, they were mastered poorly due to the limits of tech back then. I've seen folk pass on equipment that I know is good just because it couldn't resurrect a poor recording.

I have a cabinet full of CDs that I no longer listen to because of that. Even supposedly remastered classics like "Dark Side of the Moon" are tolerable for only one listen. Yes, the remastering is commendable but in the end, forgettable.
The harshness still comes through in the form of slightly over emphasized instrumental location which supplants the edginess they engineered out. In short, it still doesn't sound like a modern recording.

I'm presently looking into a Marantz SA-15S2B as maybe the way to dig out the music without surrendering the recording to those old digital artifacts that you speak of. It's gotten good press and is in your ballpark concerning funds.
But it will have to handily defeat my TEAC PD-H600. As for the Ayon, I compared my TEAC PD-H600 to it and the TEAC acquitted itself admirably. It had slightly less body but after a few minutes, it wasn't even noticeable, and still equalled it in about every other aspect. Definitely a case of diminishing returns and not worth the extra money, IMO.

You're going to get a lot of recommendations but I"m afraid you can fit all of our views on that grain of salt. You've got a lot of experimenting to do so good luck in you search and do let the rest of us know what you've decided.

All the best,
Nonoise

I appreciate the comments, Nonoise. I'm not looking to change this new ARC; it performs well in every way.

"The harshness still comes through in the form of slightly over emphasized instrumental location which supplants the edginess they engineered out."

This statement says a lot to me. I was thinking about using a Rane or dbx EQ for the problem CDs; both these units have constant-Q. This EQ concept has been discussed many times on the forum.

Lowrider57, I missed that you settled on the ARC thinking you were leaning in that direction. Everything I've read about an ARC CDP has been very positive and I'm happy you've found what works.

As for the EQ matter, that is beyond my understanding having no experience in it but again, from what I've read, when properly implemented, it can do wonders since you're taking your room into consideration.

Here's to lots of happy listening,
Nonoise

Lowrider, Have you considered an inexpensive CD player for listening to the old CDs and the ARC for the better sounding CDs? I also use the CD 3 MKII in my system, but I also own several other CD players. One in particular that rounds off the edges in the upper frequencies is the Rotel 855. I don't know if this is something you would consider, but I thought I would mention it.

Yes Rrog,
I have a Jolida 100a with some very expensive Amperex tubes, also an NAD. the Jolida handles old CDs pretty well and rolls off the highs, but I could make some good money by selling it.
I'm really thinking about an EQ for the old CDs now that I'm hooked on the ARC.