Consistent quality level between the CD player, AMP and the Speakers?

[RichardHIFI]

At the end of 2004, I bought a pair of Klipsch RF-25 speakers to replace my 15 years old Boston Acoustic A70. It’s been a significant improvement. My amplifier is a Harman/Kardon 3270 and I use an entry level Toshiba DVD player to play my CDs.

I have been reading extensively in the last months and the understanding that I have developed is that in the ‘quality equation’, CD player  Amplifier  Speakers, the sound of the speaker is limited by the quality of the signal of the amplifier which is limited by the capability of the CD player.

In my current setting, it is obvious that I need to improve my CD player. I am seriously looking at the NAD C542 and the ARCAM CD73, the latter been the most I am willing to spend.

The question I have is if my current amplifier could fully deliver the capability of such CD players and, if not, what would I need to consider in order to do so?

 

[Nick250]

At the end of 2004, I bought a pair of Klipsch RF-25 speakers to replace my 15 years old Boston Acoustic A70. It’s been a significant improvement. My amplifier is a and I use an entry level Toshiba DVD player to play my CDs.

I have been reading extensively in the last months and the understanding that I have developed is that in the ‘quality equation’, CD player  Amplifier  Speakers, the sound of the speaker is limited by the quality of the signal of the amplifier which is limited by the capability of the CD player.

In my current setting, it is obvious that I need to improve my CD player. I am seriously looking at the NAD C542 and the ARCAM CD73, the latter been the most I am willing to spend.

The question I have is if my current amplifier could fully deliver the capability of such CD players and, if not, what would I need to consider in order to do so?

The speakers and room acoustics account for ~ 90% of what you hear. A newer CD player may improve your sound some, what with newer DACs and all, but it will not be a quantum leap kind of thing since it's role in the big picture is relatively minor. Your amp is fine since it is driving very efficent speakers. So, it you want to improve sound turn your attention to the speakers and speaker placement. Another thing you might consider ahead of a cd player is a sub. It could provide a substantial improvement. In fact now that I think of it, that is the path I would take if I was in your situation.

Nick

 

[tbewick]

I once was considering buying a new CD player, but I can't find any good reason for why one CD player is better than another. Practically all of them have vanishingly small distortion figures, flat frequency responses, extremely high signal-to-noise ratios, etc.

The limiting factor in determining sound quality is probably your speakers and possibly your amplifier. If you want to improve the quality of your system, spend your money on a new set of speakers.

I'd recommend a good pair of Tannoy speakers and a Quad amplifier. I've heard that Tannoy are quite popular as studio monitors because of their less fatiguing sound.

I'm using a very old (1970's) set of Tannoy HPD's with an equally old (heavy!) Pioneer amp. They sound much better (less harsh) than my newer 2002 Denon amp and B&W speakers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

At the end of 2004, I bought a pair of Klipsch RF-25 speakers to replace my 15 years old Boston Acoustic A70. It’s been a significant improvement. My amplifier is a Harman/Kardon 3270 and I use an entry level Toshiba DVD player to play my CDs.

I have been reading extensively in the last months and the understanding that I have developed is that in the ‘quality equation’, CD player  Amplifier  Speakers, the sound of the speaker is limited by the quality of the signal of the amplifier which is limited by the capability of the CD player.

In my current setting, it is obvious that I need to improve my CD player. I am seriously looking at the NAD C542 and the ARCAM CD73, the latter been the most I am willing to spend.

The question I have is if my current amplifier could fully deliver the capability of such CD players and, if not, what would I need to consider in order to do so?

I will support nicks input. You should concentrate on the acoustics of the room as well.
Consider other components only if you need other features you don't have now.
The argument of the weakest link is good when you buy some chain. Modern, well designed audio components are transparent.