I too suffered the CD hurts my ears problem, especially on high-pitched instruments like flute, soprano sax, violin and upper register piano. Like you, at first I thought it was the CD setup. Upgrading to a dedicated DAC and then a transport certainly made things more tonally balanced and musical. But the hurt didn't vanish until I switched pre-amps, in my case from a Forte 44 to a Threshold Fet 10.
My guess is when the amplification components are faced with resolving the high signal-to-noise signals of CD but lack the quality to do so, instead those components will produce hurtful noise and distortion. It makes sense that this happens at the frequency extremes, where the proper extension is most difficult to achieve. For years, LP and tube gear cleverly avoid this problem by rolling off the high end signals so the amps never have to deal with them.
So I agree, don't foul up your LP sound to make the CD palatable. Going the DAC route will definately help, and synergizing with the same company's transport will too. I use mid-line Theta separates and feel no urge to search for something better. You're on the right track though. You've identified the problem. But in the long run, dulling your sound is not the answer.
My guess is when the amplification components are faced with resolving the high signal-to-noise signals of CD but lack the quality to do so, instead those components will produce hurtful noise and distortion. It makes sense that this happens at the frequency extremes, where the proper extension is most difficult to achieve. For years, LP and tube gear cleverly avoid this problem by rolling off the high end signals so the amps never have to deal with them.
So I agree, don't foul up your LP sound to make the CD palatable. Going the DAC route will definately help, and synergizing with the same company's transport will too. I use mid-line Theta separates and feel no urge to search for something better. You're on the right track though. You've identified the problem. But in the long run, dulling your sound is not the answer.