Quote Originally Posted by Sondek
I have determined that about $350 in parts into a $400 cd player of decent origin (Rotel,NAD) will deliver what a $4k cd player will. Modifiers get little press, but it was obvious that a Daniels audio (modified sony) was a big improvement. If I were to reinvest in a cd player, I'd buy a used NAD or Rotel and modify it. A lot of times it is as simple as proper sheilding, good capacitors, and damping.

My relatives are all into guns. They get the stuff at wholesale, but they have priorities there. They cannot fathom spending more than $100 on a cd player, but they will brag they have a rare 10 guage or a highly modded thompson contender or Glock for many kilobucks.

Of course, shooting skeet, deer, and drop targets for 30 years without hearing protection---they have very little need for high fidelity...

Chuck Hawks has a gun website. He's a shooting pundit/enthusiast AND audiophile, though I've no idea what hifi gear he owns. But if his hifi budget is proportionate to his guns budget...Well, let's just say I couldn't afford to indulge in both passions on a high-end level. It's either the $2000 Swiss-made Hammerlie .22 target pistol or $1000 Thorens table with high-end Sumiko or Koetsu cartridge. Decisions, decisions...