Source upgrade? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Navyblue · 06-02-2008, 01:16 PM

I am building a home rig.

I settled on my headphone (K501). Somewhat settled on my amp (speaker out with adapter).

In today's digital age, many cheap source are at least halfway decent. Though some are obviously better than the others, really crappy sources aren't as prevalent as it used to be in the past.

But I wonder if my headphone and amp outgrew my source? Right now I am using an old budget CDP from early nineties (Sony CDP-XE200).

Heard good things about Marantz CDP. Also heard good things about stand alone DAC. Assuming I have a budget of about $300, would it be worthwhile replacing my source? Or would I be better of spending my money elsewhere like an amp or another headphone?

wharfrat1 · 06-02-2008, 02:29 PM

Can't say for sure since I have not heard, but everyone raves about the cd-5001. I went a little more expensive and bought a new NAD C542 from a local dealer. I couldn't be happier with it.

Navyblue · 06-02-2008, 03:35 PM

Wharfrat1,

What source were you coming from? Did you perceive a big difference?

I've never replaced my source alone, so I'm not sure what to expect.