Ok so after not buying any audio equipment for 15+ years I have the itch to upgrade... ummm... well.... everything. I am currently running off of a Sony STR-AV770X Receiver with matching EQ and 5 Disc Changer. All components are from the early 90's. The receiver has a pretty good amplifier in it and all the components have been flawless over the years. But it is time to grow up a little.
I am of the mind that I'd rather slowly purchase high quality components that will last me another decade, rather than go cheaper on everything and need to replace it in a couple years. I have already upgrade the speakers to B&W 602 S3's. I just fell in love with their voice the first time I listened to them and even on the old equipment, delivers a remarkable performance.
At the moment, I think I am just going to focus on music and leave the Home Theater topics aside. I really will only use 2 speakers anyway for the foreseeable future.
I plan to go with a Rotel amplifier / pre-amp setup and it will probably be second-hand. I don't really see the benefit of going to a brand new unit since they have a long history of quality.
My biggest question is the CD Player. Audiophile ranked CD Players basically start at $500 for an entry level model. Is it worth looking in to older second-hand units or does the technology change fast enough that they are not in the same class as newer models? I don't have any HD CD's so would I be better off getting a good DVD player instead? I am having a hard time evaluating models since the specs are less consistent than on amplifiers. Any advice would really be appreciated.
Any advice on the order to add components would be greatly appreciated.
Ok so after not buying any audio equipment for 15+ years I have the itch to upgrade... ummm... well.... everything. I am currently running off of a Sony STR-AV770X Receiver with matching EQ and 5 Disc Changer. All components are from the early 90's. The receiver has a pretty good amplifier in it and all the components have been flawless over the years. But it is time to grow up a little.
I am of the mind that I'd rather slowly purchase high quality components that will last me another decade, rather than go cheaper on everything and need to replace it in a couple years. I have already upgrade the speakers to B&W 602 S3's. I just fell in love with their voice the first time I listened to them and even on the old equipment, delivers a remarkable performance.
At the moment, I think I am just going to focus on music and leave the Home Theater topics aside. I really will only use 2 speakers anyway for the foreseeable future.
I plan to go with a Rotel amplifier / pre-amp setup and it will probably be second-hand. I don't really see the benefit of going to a brand new unit since they have a long history of quality.
My biggest question is the CD Player. Audiophile ranked CD Players basically start at $500 for an entry level model. Is it worth looking in to older second-hand units or does the technology change fast enough that they are not in the same class as newer models? I don't have any HD CD's so would I be better off getting a good DVD player instead? I am having a hard time evaluating models since the specs are less consistent than on amplifiers. Any advice would really be appreciated.
Any advice on the order to add components would be greatly appreciated.