New Audiophile - Upgrade Amp First or CDP First?

In terms of getting lots of different information and opinions, yes, it's confusing, but I'm really not complaining. My learning curve at this point is pretty exponential.

Ok, so now where I'm at is I think I'm going to go with that Sony CE595 multi-disc changer and have the $750 Tube Research Labs do their magic on it. I really couldn't resist a way to get high-quality sound with a multi-changer. Thanks Strateahed for that!

Now I have to decide on an integrated amp. I guess the Outlaw might not be the best choice as I really don't need a tuner, and I can likely get a better quality used one, but now I don't know which one to look for. So many options...

1-Do you want more tubes? Cary? Solid MF? Personally, I like the Music Halls.
2-What is your budget?
3-Don't forget a line conditioner and cabling.

For $1600.00.

1. Preamp with pass through Adcom 575, Primare preamp (750) because it has a Home Theater Pass-Through. Your choices are more if you use a preamp without pass through, but then you will have to deal with two vol controls.
2. Decent Amp (CJ, BK, Forte, Quad, etc) (250-800)
3. Basic Surround sound receiver (used 250-300)
Depending on how you configure, you will get close to your budget. This way you have the best of both worlds. A great sounding 2 channel...and when we want to listen to a movie, the receiver's front channels will go through the preamp/amp combo.

You can get an old Marantz receiver from 1970's for less, and have a better sound than NAD - check out the link on the bottom.

I like their warm sound. They got great reviews at audioreview.com This a place you can go for audio gear reviews - by the users, and not by the pros ( who are sometimes payed to give good reviews - as you must know ).

You got to be careful when buying from ebay, an old unit like this - many will not work properly - but this one seems like it has been gone through, and fixed up by a shop.

I am listening to one these days, and I like it better than many of the modern offerings that costs several times the price you can get this one for. You should be able to get this for less than $300.

With the sony CD player modified, and a Marantz receiver, and your paradigm speakers, and signal cables, you are in for a treat!

Placement of your speakers are important too - they sound better on a stand. You might want to get them, since they don't cost a lot.

Also, do near-field listening - listening at a very close range, and you will be in heaven, and your wife won't complain, since you can listen at a lower volume.

By the way, wife factor is one that most audiophiles have to deal with - you are not alone.

You might also want to learn about tweaks - they are what you can do to make your system sound even better.

Like pro-gold treatment on all of your connectors - you can buy it for less than $20 - they do make a difference. Google search for them.

Also, optrix CD treament for less than $20 also helps.

The tweak that makes the most difference is burning your own CDR - you can read all about it here :

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1171710271&openflup&3&4#3

This tweak is a must, if you want to tame digital source - like a CD player. Many audiophiles still prefer LP records to digital.

If you do go analogue, and get a turn table later, your Marantz is compatible with it - has a phono stage built in - unlike many of today's units.

Have fun in this hobby - although all the info can be over-whelming, go slow and have fun - in the end it will reward - your ears and heart will thank you.

You are doing the right thing by not spending mega bucks at the beganing of this hobby - many have spent way too much without doing the research, and slowely gaining experience - including my-self. Only then, one is properly ready to a lot on hifi.

There is no limit - one can spend as much as a car or a condo even - chasing this dream. Please go slow and don't make the same mistake many of us audio lovers have.

There is much enjoyment to be had, without spending a lot - if you do research.

Another suggestion is to get headphones - sennheiser px-100, or Koss sportapro for less than $40. Your room acoustic will not come into play, and ruin the sound. Also, you can listen deep into the night with them.

Headphones through the Marantz receiver sounds good !
Also has a really good receiver section, if you do listen to radio.

p://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/receivers/marantz/PRD_118646_1593crx.aspx

http://cgi.ebay.com/MARANTZ-2270-COMPLETELY-SERVICED-NICE_W0QQitemZ260172626412QQihZ016QQcategoryZ3279QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You can also use your computer as the source - instead of a CD player. Upgrade the sound card to M-audio audiophile 2496 for less than $100, and get pretty good sound. Better than your present set up.

This way, you can get both - the Marantz and a CD player for less than $500.

The reason why I recommend this is, you can get more quality by spending the $1000 on used speakers later, and end up with a better sounding system.

Most money should be spent on speakers.

Also, there are many advanteges to a computer set up.
It's convenient to have all of your music organized and ready to at your finger tip. Also the sound quality is not bad - less jitter than many CD players.

When you rip your CDs into your computer by this free program EAC (exact audio copy), you can get pretty good quality.

Also use foobar2000 program to play your music files - it's free, and it sounds the best to my ears.

I too am a music lover on a budget, so I feel for you, and I've at it for the last 5 years. I want to share what I've learned with you.

I am glad you are enjoying your new speaker.

If you get the Marantz, and upgrade the soundcard, you will be spending money in a balanced way - since you only spent $150 on speakers, and you can get both now, and enjoy better sound.

If you do near field listening, the room's acoustics won't come into play as much, and you will be enjoying more I guerantee you.

Other wise, you got to get into acoustic treatment to improve the sound of listening from far away.