My current hi-fi system, which I purchased during my student years so it isn't that high end, really needs upgrading, In addition, my Technics CD player has started skipping, and thus I have decided to make this component my first upgrade choice.
I'm currently looking at three different CD players, at prices I've seen online:
The first one sounds like a good solid investment, although the extra price will keep me from upgrading the rest of my system for a couple more months. Of course, for £130 less (the price of a B&W DM601 S3 btw, but speakers are another matter altogether) I can get the NAD, or for £20 less further still, the Cambridge. These all have solid reviews online.
What would you recommend to someone who wants to buy a system to last 10 years at least? My budget is around £300, I /could/ extend it to the £400 Arcam, but bear in mind that I like matching components, and thus would have to bear the extra £100 or so for every component I buy!
For now, but not for long (6 months?) I'd have to couple whatever I buy with a Marantz PM200 (IIRC) pre-amp and a pair of Mission 731s.
I then plan to get a decent amplifier or receiver, and new speakers. I'm on a step-by-step upgrade plan for the speakers:
1) New front speaker pair - 2 DM601 S3, use 731s as rear 2) Centre Speaker - LCR60 S3 3) Subwoofer - ASW600 4) New rear pairs - 2 DM600 S3
So given I want matching CD player and amplifier / receiver ...
1) NAD C452 + NAD T743 - total £640 2) NAD C452 + NAD T753 - total £785 3) Cambridge 640C + 540R - total £540 4) Arcam CD73 + AVR250 - total £1400
What are your opinions on receivers vs. pre-amp for music and receiver for radio and home cinema?
I will leave the AV stuff until later, I have a thought in my head that I might wait a year to upgrade that aspect anyway, and that getting a HiFi Amp and a HiFi CD player is a better match anyway.