It's not often that I read a post on an audio forum and agree with pretty much every point made. This is such a subjective hobby after all. However, this just happened reading Stvnharr's post above.
Too many people get caught up in the old "garbage in garbage out" philosophy. While it is of course true, even half decent modern CD players do a relatively good job. CD players can be improved with tweaks, power cords, power conditioning, external DACs, etc but the improvements are usually subtle when compared with improvements made further down the line. One might argue that ANY improvement is worthwhile and I don't disagree with this (I've done all these tweaks myself over the years). However, when funds are not unlimited, it becomes an exercise in determining where the most benefit can be returned for the dollar. Unless you have a very old and cheap CD player, or already have top notch amplification and speakers, then I would endorse stvnharr's suggestion that the CD player shouldn't be at the top of your upgrade list.
I also agree that, in general, SACD is better than CD. However, the difference between well recorded CD's and SACD's is not huge. A bit more refined, airy etc, but the difference between regular CD's is often just as great as the difference between CD's and SACD's, or even between various CD players. I certainly wouldn't go spending more on a CD/SACD player than what my speakers are worth. Cheap speakers are more than likely going to colour what you hear and prevent you from accurately hearing the relatively subtle differences between most decent CD players.
Unless you are using a $200 cheapo CD player, I would recommend starting your upgrade path at the speaker end and moving backward toward the source. Get the best sounding speakers you can afford ....these are your window to the music and will better reveal the subsequent changes you make to the system. Speakers will generally have the biggest bearing on the sound (measured and heard) so it makes sense to start here and put as much money here as you can. You can then select component upgrades that work well with the speakers and provide the type of sound you are after. You don't buy tyres first, then a car to match them. The tyres, regardless of how good, may not match the car .....same deal here.
The more auditioning you can do the better. It will give you a better idea of the typical performance level of different units in a given price range. Occasionally, you may come across something that sounds better to you but is also less expensive. When you do, trust your ears. Although you generally get what you pay for, sometimes dollars are added on for things other than sound quality ...eg. brand name, build quality, middlemen margins, consumer gouging etc.
Interestingly, almost every upgrade/tweak I have done in the last few years, has lowered the "cost price" of my system but raised its sonic performance significantly. Perhaps I'm becoming older and wiser ...finally
It takes more homework, but it can be done. You have already found the AKSA forum so you are well on the right track. I have extensive listening experience with the AKSA amps and pre-amps and can very honestly say that the GK-1 pre-amp competes with units up to 10 times its price or more, and the Nirvana Plus amps do too. The catch is that you have to be good with a soldering iron (or have a friend that is) and be able to get your head around the fact that such relatively inexpensive units can compete headon with the big names, regardless of price.
FWIW, my GK-1 replaced a US$3500 big US name tube pre-amp. Despite the tube pre-amp having been improved with NOS tubes, the GK-1 was better to an unbelievable degree. I'm now seriously considering replacing my US$4500 big name class A power amp (also rated Stereophile Class A), with two AKSA 55N+ amps bi-amped. Yes, my system value will drop again and I will lose more big name bragging rights, but I sit back with a grin from ear to ear as I enjoy the live performances in my lounge room.
Sorry if this sounds like a lecture, but it has taken me a long time to get to this point and if I can help anyone get there more quickly than I did, and to save money in the process, I will feel that the money I now know was spent in the wrong places won't have been a total waste
Good luck on your journey FOS!
