After 20+ years, my Sony STR-6800 receiver finally gave out and I decided to move up in the world. Since I can afford more now than I could in college, I've recently started to upgrade. The one thing I haven't upgraded, obviously, is my cd player. However, what I have now sounds lightyears better (e.g. more real, more there, more more) than what I had. My wife wholeheartedly agrees and is quite pleased with the improvement. I'd appreciate any input on the following: 1) What should I do on the CD side that would be compatable with the amp and speakers (in other words, not so much better that I would immediately feel obligated to replace the amp or speakers to get the most out of my CD source)? 2) Aside from the cd player, what would be the next weakest link? (I've not yet become "addicted" to constant improvement, but reading various things here and other places is starting to make me twitchy.) As to what we listen to, classical, jazz, and 60's-80's rock.
You have wonderful speakers and a good integrated amp. They will be very faithful in the reproduction of whatever source signal they are provided. My recommendation is budget as much as you can for a good CD player. I recently upgraded from a Creek CD43 (retail $995) to a Linn Ikemi (retail $3600). I have a Plinius 8150 integrated and B&W Matrix 803s. It was an unbelievable improvement and I do not feel that I must rush out and upgrade the amp and speakers. Shop around, listen to as many as you can . . . your current amp and speakers deserve a quality source. After that, consider upgraded power cords. Happy listening, Joel
