May sound strange, but I....
Bought a 10-year-old Teac VRDS-25X, purchased the transport upgrade package (power supply caps, master clock w/ power supply, digital output board) from ASE-Audiotuning in Germany, had my tech install the parts, and paired the "new" transport with a used Lavry Black DA10.
It was like buying a new stereo!
Of course, it was a lot more of an undertaking than simply buying another CDP.
Expenditures; VRDS-25X: $750; Audiotuning transport upgrade package: $500; Installation and testing: $150; Lavry Black: $800; Belden 1801B AES/EBU digital interconnect: $25.00
Associated equipment: Technics SP-10MKII-P turntable/Jean Nantais plinth/Audio-Technica AT-1100 tonearm/Ortofon Super OM40 cartridge; Sony ST-S555ES tuner w/ Components USA upgrade package; Bryston BP-26MC preamplifier; B.A.T. VK-200 power amplifier; Tannoy System 15 DMT II speakers on custom 16-inch stands; DH Labs Pro Studio balanced and single-ended interconnects; stock Belden 14AWG and 12AWG power cords; dedicated 20-amp AC line with Pass & Seymour specification-grade outlets.
Bought a 10-year-old Teac VRDS-25X, purchased the transport upgrade package (power supply caps, master clock w/ power supply, digital output board) from ASE-Audiotuning in Germany, had my tech install the parts, and paired the "new" transport with a used Lavry Black DA10.
It was like buying a new stereo!
Of course, it was a lot more of an undertaking than simply buying another CDP.
Expenditures; VRDS-25X: $750; Audiotuning transport upgrade package: $500; Installation and testing: $150; Lavry Black: $800; Belden 1801B AES/EBU digital interconnect: $25.00
Associated equipment: Technics SP-10MKII-P turntable/Jean Nantais plinth/Audio-Technica AT-1100 tonearm/Ortofon Super OM40 cartridge; Sony ST-S555ES tuner w/ Components USA upgrade package; Bryston BP-26MC preamplifier; B.A.T. VK-200 power amplifier; Tannoy System 15 DMT II speakers on custom 16-inch stands; DH Labs Pro Studio balanced and single-ended interconnects; stock Belden 14AWG and 12AWG power cords; dedicated 20-amp AC line with Pass & Seymour specification-grade outlets.