Upgrading

As you don't want to change the speakers and can't afford the CDX it does lead to restrictions! A flat cap for the preamp would be a tidy option, it has improved mine, although to be able to tell you what it did I would have to take it off for a while, (If you see what I mean) subtle is what I am looking for.

Or mabye a second hand cd3.5 to be honest I havn't heard this one in action but its said to be better, (Although to be honest I like the idea of the central pivoted lens on the 3, it smacks of better isolation than the lens in the 3.5, but hey as i said havn't heard it.)

Hi Gunnar,

I'd say, go for the 3.5

Then later, when funds allow, you could ad a flatcap-II to power both your 3.5 AND your 92.
This is a more affordable and IMHO worthy
improvement.

Good luck

Greetings from Holland,

Alco

The move from CD 3 to CD 3.5 is sideways at best.

Figure out what you want to improve. What bugs you about your system? If you really like it, why change?

If you just want to buy yourself a gift, try a hicap for an immense improvement and as prep for a potential preamp or amp upgrade.

Regards.

Phil

Last fall I bought a used 92/90 with flatcap and CD3.5, Roksan tuner here in the US. Plus my Spendor 2/3s were used (the guys wife said the cherry wood, it didn't match her rosewood furniture, such a deal). I had maybe 3 months to listen to it when the CD5 came out, my dealer said he'd upgrade it for free but I'd have to upgrade the Flatcap to an F.II, I'm happy now. The CD 5 is really amazing and much clearer than the 3.5.

For some very odd reason I want to get more detail in the system. Am I nuts? Should I look for a used 180 now? And do the little tweaks like Nordost points or Final ball bearing insulators work? Also, my rack has the CD on top shelf with Tuner on top, is this a no no?

The CD3 is a problem because you can't add a Flatcap, FC2 or Hi-cap to it.
Upgrading to a CD3.5 or 5 is probably a *sidegrade* used "naked," but at least with these you can add the 'cap, which would definitely be a worthwhile upgrade, and it's still cheaper than a CDX.
It's a pity you don't live in the UK, as I'll be selling my CD5/FC2 combo towards the end of the year to upgrade to a CDX, and I'll want about 1200 GBP for them (they cost 1600 new.)

It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve

Do the Pre amp next..
The 180 is great enough for the Es11's
CD3 ->3.5 is a sidestep "at best" ( nice one Eric)

Your not even hearing what you CD3 can do properly yet. The preamp is a massive bottleneck at the moment. I wouldn't mess around with *capping the 92..go for a better pre amp, the best you can get, either new or seconds...Go for 102 or s/s other pre!

It's all about building blocks ( like lego! Bloody expensive Lego though!)

You know it makes sense Rodney :->

Goose

Hi guys!
Thank you all for your opinions. It looks to me like a pre-amp upgrade is the way to go.
A friend of mine has the cd 3,5 and I couldn´t hear any major sonic differences between them in my system when we tried it at my home. My thoghts when buying the 180 was that it would drive the ES11 well and hoping to get hold of a 82 in the future,which would be a good partner. (hopefully second hand)
Liked that one Goose, Yes i agree,it`s quite an expensive LEGO.
By the way has anyone tried soft compliance feet under the Cd-player and Speakers ? I recommend that. In Sweden you can buy something that would be translated as SD-feet. Its rubberfoam which comes in different types depending on the weight of the object you are using. It is a very cost-effective upgrade. A set for the speakers cost about £15.
see you at the Forum!