I don't think that your question is easy to answer not having heard your room. I have owned a cd63se cd player and you can do much, much better now. The Marantz isn't a bad player, but you will be amazed at how much better cd playback can sound with a better digital rig. That said, most listeners severely underestimate the effect a rooms' characteristics have on what they hear. In addition to the problems Warnerwh addresses, problems that diffusion & echo absorbtion address also severely hamper your systems' potential. I haven't heard the DEQ2496, but what I have read makes it sound like a bargain improvement. My only concern about the Behringer is the fact that it's a cheap, mass produced item from a company with a spotty at best reputation for reliability and customer service. When I researched the DEQ2496 and other similar products, I was taken aback by the reliabilty problems Behringer has.
Biggest bang: add Behringer or replace CDP?
My system consists of a Marantz CD63SE, Classé CAP 151 integrated and Maggie 1.6 speakers, in a 30' x 20' room. In the never-ending search for increased musicality at no more than moderate volume, which of the following two options will provide the biggest improvement: add a Behringer DEQ 2496 equalizer or upgrade the CDP? If the latter, I am open to suggestions for (new or used) players under $1200 US.
Many thanks.
Many thanks.