How Much To Rival Good Digital Playback

psychicanimal: What mods are you having them do? I have a Parasound CDP-2000 Ultra and I find it awesome...wondering if your mods apply to my unit?

Dan Wright promised to make the Parasound sound with the tighness, impact and slam of my McCormack SST-1 direct drive, top loading transport. It seems CEC uses very cheap parts in some of the critical paths of the unit--even in their top models. Power regulation/delivery is also critical to keep the belt drive transport and CD weight running dead on. I also bought a Furutech rhodium plated IEC from Chris VenHaus and had him ship it to Dan. I also told Dan I want a Bybee installed after the IEC. A new belt and a door sensor switch were also ordered and sent to Dan. You should get both and have them replaced. As to how much this is going to cost, I don't know yet. I let Dan do whatever he wants. We have mutual understanding--he knows how I like my music...

I would definitely contact Dan and ask him about this project. He did tell me over the phone that he has modded several CECs, including their top of the line. I think it will be worth it for you, as also getting a DD turnable :)

Since the requirement of "good" is so subjective, as is each persons individual tastes...
For me I am happier with my $250 TT + $115 cart. + $450 phono pre-pre analogue starter setup than my $2,500 Sony SACD.
And LPs... from zero to almost 4,000 since June of 2003. Where I live over 25 places sell used vinyl within a 15 minute freeway drive.
My total average cost has been about $0.40 each.
Hundreds at $0.18 each... 350 nice classic chamber music last month for free.
And I am talking about good VG++ originals.
So partly the switch back to vinyl has been economic.
I have enough music to keep me happy for a very long time.

Well, I think that Elizabeth is a little too optimistic. I'd say $1000.00 for the analog front end plus,say,$350 for the phono stage,plus $150-$250 for the cable.I meant new. In many ways it will sound better than almost any digital. But it will be noisier and won't get you bass just as deep though bass will sound more natural. To get very quiet playback with great bass you would have to spend more,perhaps much more. Don't expect to pay $1.00 for each record. If you wish the first pressings and Japanese or German or British LPs in NM condition,prepare to pay $10-$100 for each. Original American jazz releases from 50s and sometimes 60s are usually very expensive as well. Classical music records vary wildly in cost: from $.50 to hundreds.Also,if you cannot see the records before buying, be ready to waist a few hundred dollars. So, the picture is not that bright, but not that bad either.

Inna, your comments apply to belt drive only. Spending 1K on a KAB modded 1200 will get you awesome bass. Got to hear it to believe it...