How to improve on the 2 ch in my 5.1 set up?

I would buy the Oppo 95 and use it's analog outs into a 2 channel preamp with a processor bypass. Maybe something like a Parasound JC2. That should give you a dramatic improvement.

CJ preamps also have theater bypass. The ACT 2 is very linear, less golden than Mcintosh as i understand. The newer generation ET5, ET3 are apparently close to the new flagship GAT which i have heard recently (and am blown away at how good it is.) Equally linear, but with just that touch of ultra natural tonality that is magical.

Agree that much comes with improving source...but your goal seems to be to upgrade both...preamps also make a big difference. have heard X-01SE...extremely good...quite linear, disciplined. a possibly good match with tube pre.

Thanks everyone for the advices!! I agree that the source is the issue here and would also like to know if the emphasis be on the preamp or cdp in order for me to allocate my budget? Also will a decent tube CD player alone like Cary 303/300 alone do the trick?

Hi Dtan,

i'll share my own personal philosophy. i try my best to upgrade rarely...probably once/10 years if i can make it. Recently it has been a bit more often...but only because some once in a lifetime type opportunities came my way (twice actually)...;)

in which case, i have put a fair amount of money into my preamp...because i intend to keep it for years...and also into a DAC (but not the transport).

Many people would say i have sacrified by going on the cheap with the transport (they are right)...but i prefer to know i have a great DAC and pre which i intend to keep for years to come...and i can always upgrade Transports or Servers...whenever that technology stabilizes a bit or at least gets to a point where i make a quantum leap and leave it for a while.

in your case, i think the sources you have mentioned are all exceptional and should hold you for quite a while...Cary, Oppo 95 and Esoteric X-05. If you can allocate the rest to a pre...i would do it. I would even recommend the Oppo 95 (which gives you long-term sustainability because its got blu-ray and video capability for whenver you choose to upgrade your audio source)...and i think its cheaper...which again means more saved, or more into your pre.

just my own personal philosophy. good luck and pls keep us posted.

Your anthem processor is no slouch. I'd be inclined to go the source route alone. Whether you get a modern dac and a transport, or something like the Cary (which is a very nice piece) is up to you. Personally, I'd be inclined to go the Cary route just to keep things simple. If you add a 2 channel pre-amp your system is going to get much more complicated.

Agree a good pre-amp is a must, but I think in your situation you really need to spend a decent amount on the source first.