Quote Originally Posted by eleiko
I own a NAD CD player which I purchased in 1987 for about $350. If I had to replace it (it still works great), I'd expect to spend between $400 and $550 for what I want. $1000? No efin way! I've been told by several sources that to equal even mass market CD player sound, you'd have to spend over $1000 (a conservative estimate) on the right table, arm and cartridge combo. Personally, I don't find it feasible (priorities, priorities), though I don't begrudge those that do. By the way, I do notice a significant difference, mid-range especially, between my Sumiko mm Pearl cartridge and the Denon mc I owned prior to the Sumiko. I've considered replacing the Pearl with the high output mc Sumiko Blue ? Special.
"I've been told by several sources that to equal even mass market CD player sound, you'd have to spend over $1000 (a conservative estimate) on the right table, arm and cartridge combo."

Not at all, particularly if you are willing to look into the used market. I bought an old Technics table/arm with a cheap Ortofon cartridge for $50 and it sounds great! Not the best but better than CD and it's for a second system I had until recently and now my kids use it. I mean no disrespect to whoever gave you this advice, but they're WAY off the mark! Do these people perchance sell analog gear? Your Thorens with the Sumiko BPS should DESTROY a mass market CD player - and you already own the Thorens! By the way, the BPS from the Pearl is quite a jump in quality. Do you recall which Denon you owned? They make wonderful mc cartridges that are fairly inexpensive.

Also, curious about something - your old NAD CD player. NAD was known until fairly recently to have good Dac's and lousy transports. If my one NAD is any indication, the rumors are true as mine won't track worth a durn. But you apparently have had no issues with that, true? The nice thing is that the current NAD that is comparable to yours is probably still $350!