What's an example of such a product for $400?

That's a good answer, thanks. I do have majority cds. A few lps. If I got a tt, I plan on researching good pressings to get for my favorites. Floyd, Dylan etc. I just wonder if the $400 tt combined with well mastered vinyl is a significantly better than the same cds in the $400 Player. I...

In other words, will $400 buy me enough turntable to beat a $400 marantz? I'm asking for opinions.

Help me decide: marantz cd 6004 or one of the entry level tt's (debut carbon, rega rp1, music hall). It's an odd question, but which route would get me more in sound quality on a $400 ish budget? Assume that I'm going with just stock everything. Vinyl would be a totally new thing for me, but I...

Oh here's the model on the cdp and manual. Sony dvp nc665p I looked at the specs, but I'm out of my element when it comes to these things. https://docs.sony.com/release/DVPNC665P.pdf

Oh ****... So that onkyo must not be as great as I thought. I guess the $180 for a new cdp would be better spent on a dac.

Ok here's a question- there's an onkyo c7030 cdp for $180. Amazon. How much money would I need to spend on an external dac to beat the one in the onkyo? With my $400 budget, is this cdp going to beat my other options?

I'm i don't know the models, I assume cdp is average, receiver is better. What about Cambridge dacs, or musical fidelity dac? I'm leaning towards dac vs a combo amp... Maybe to invest solely in one aspect, because amp can come later.

I'm trying to decide where to upgrade my system... I hope someone can help: Sony Cd/DVD player (early 2000's) --- sony receiver (early 90s) ---- sennheiser hd 558. Sounds ok, but I'm not satisfied I listen to cds. I plan to stick with this. Budget $400 max. Based on what I've read, a new Dac...

Cool, Thanks!

Just out of curiosity- A reasonable dac and amp to go with my current stuff?

Alright just wanted to check that.

I plan to use a CD player going into a stereo receiver, and plugging the 558s into the receiver jack. Receiver is a mid 90s Sony Es gx something... Could someone tell me if this is a good plan? I know about amps and dac, but for the time being, does a stereo receiver work well with those phones...

I t I think I'll just try a dac between the 2. Seems like a good idea. If I ever get a headphone amp, do I run everything in this order? CD player-DAC-reciever-amp-headphones? Does the amp replace the reciever, or does a CD player need a reciever?

Hmm, I don't think I want to use a computer. my reciever has a source direct button. Is that relevant to the discussion?