What gives? CD’s, Solid State?

"I'm starting to believe that first impressions about audio equipment are quite close to the final opinion."

I think that's debatable at best. Peoples impressions change over time with familiarity and so does the sound of new equipment.

Agree with mapman. Sometimes (also) the problem is elsewhere. you may have crummy A/C power. You may have a computer nearby sending out giant clouds of RFI creating havoc with you audio equipment. Your next-door neighbor may have an illegal shortwave setup. The list is long, and all these things may be the problem. BUT: the problem may ALSO just be in your equipment.
Anyway..try the feritte. It's cheap, and a 'classic' fix.
I still use ferrite stuff in a lot of places..
(and I have about 20 of the Rat Shack claps sitting on a shelf from past usage.)

why not try a good p/c audio card,axiom passive,outlaw m2200, kg4s ,supra cables ,speakers lifted,components isolated,nothing special. i stream off the internet and the music is alive you want to hear true sound the axiom is $165 incredible piece great sound doesnt have to break the bank good luck Rich

SS can be pretty darn good but does not work for me

the last few hi fi shows I went to, I did not really care for one SS room I was in, the only stuff I really liked had tubes

you may be in that camp

just a thought

Wow, thanks everyone for your thoughts!

Mapman, you are correct in that my system has become more relaxed and musical since I acquired it. The R-7 speakers certainly have improved in depth and bass. When I bought this stuff I was told there would be a break-in period and I am experiencing that. As Musicslug suggested, I’ve been running the daylights out of this stuff to expedite!

Nonetheless, I do feel that Jult52’s point is a valid one as well. Yes, I am experiencing improvement but I know well enough that this will never reach the nirvana I’m after.

So, what for now?…Ferrite snap-on gizmos? A DAC? Reside myself to the fact that the Saturn, although a good CD player, can’t replicate that vinyl analog sound I so like and therefore buy a TT? Hmmm, I’ll be looking into these suggestions.

2 other things: First, I have Rega’s best speaker cable, their SC 42 @$10/ft coming later next week which might help. Second, dirty power… has anyone ever had a “good” experience with a power conditioner? Many have said in Agon’s forum areas that many of these are wastes of money. Are there any good ones?

Before signing off, I do appreciate that no one knocked the Rega equipment – thanks.