Good advice from both members. I am of the opinion that you build a great system around a great pre-amp. If you get one with a tape loop or HT pass-thru, you can keep your pre/pro and 5 channel amp for HT use. Spend $1.5-2K on the pre and about the same on a good amp. Then upgrade the CDP when the format wars shake out.
Advice requested: CDP/DAC or Amp?
Thanks in advance to everyone who spends a few moments and words of wisdom on how to best approach the following problem.
I have a mid-fi rig right now. It consists of the following equipment:
Revel F30 floorstanding speakers
Rotel RMB-1075 (5x120w) amp
Rotel CD-1070 CDP
Rotel RSP-976 preamp/processor
I bought all the Rotel gear when I first got into this hobby. I bought the 5-channel amp & pre-amp to give myself the option to go surround in the future, but I much prefer 2-channel listening, instead. I want to replace my equipment and get a CDP/DAC w/ volume control and either monoblocks or a nice stereo amp.
CDP/DACs that I've listenend to and liked:
Wadia 861 (regular & SE)
Wadia 27iX
Cary 306/200
Mark Levinson 390
Amps:
McIntosh 402 & 501's
Pass Labs 250.5
Krell FPB 350MCX
Jeff Rowland 201
BAT (don't remember which models)
So I was hoping to spend 2-3k on the CDP/DAC and about 3k+ for the amp(s), but the wife is likely only gonna be cool w/ a 3k budget. So rather than lower my quality standard, I'd rather get 1 good piece (amp or CDP/DAC) and re-visit the hi-fi budget down the road. Would I get a better improvement by replacing my amp w/ one of the above-mentioned ones, or would I get better sound by ditching my preamp and/or CDP for one of the ones listed above & going straight into my current amp?
Thanks again to all who offer their advice. I understand that it might be a minor stretch to get the pieces listed above for my budget, but I am likely able to find some way to make it work.
I have a mid-fi rig right now. It consists of the following equipment:
Revel F30 floorstanding speakers
Rotel RMB-1075 (5x120w) amp
Rotel CD-1070 CDP
Rotel RSP-976 preamp/processor
I bought all the Rotel gear when I first got into this hobby. I bought the 5-channel amp & pre-amp to give myself the option to go surround in the future, but I much prefer 2-channel listening, instead. I want to replace my equipment and get a CDP/DAC w/ volume control and either monoblocks or a nice stereo amp.
CDP/DACs that I've listenend to and liked:
Wadia 861 (regular & SE)
Wadia 27iX
Cary 306/200
Mark Levinson 390
Amps:
McIntosh 402 & 501's
Pass Labs 250.5
Krell FPB 350MCX
Jeff Rowland 201
BAT (don't remember which models)
So I was hoping to spend 2-3k on the CDP/DAC and about 3k+ for the amp(s), but the wife is likely only gonna be cool w/ a 3k budget. So rather than lower my quality standard, I'd rather get 1 good piece (amp or CDP/DAC) and re-visit the hi-fi budget down the road. Would I get a better improvement by replacing my amp w/ one of the above-mentioned ones, or would I get better sound by ditching my preamp and/or CDP for one of the ones listed above & going straight into my current amp?
Thanks again to all who offer their advice. I understand that it might be a minor stretch to get the pieces listed above for my budget, but I am likely able to find some way to make it work.