Rotel 965BX Player Upgrade

Dear Dr. Jon Wong,

• CDP/LP: Rotel 965BX
• Pre/Power: ACURUS DIA100
• Speakers: DIY speaker-dynaudio drivers
• Cables: Kimber 8TC
• Room Size: 12'x20'
• Music Preference: vocal (Cai Qin, Mary Black), New Age(Kitaro,Ken G)

I want to upgrade my CDP. Please advise which of the following options is better :

1. to have my 8 yrs old Rotel player upgraded by you.
2. to add a DAC (budget $600-$1000), or
3. to buy a new CDP (same budget)

I would also like to add a turntable to my system if I have extra $$$. Please advise which of the phono stage is better since my amp does not have a photo input. a.Rotel RQ 970
b.NAD PP1. Maybe you could design a tube phono stage. I am sure many people are interested in it if it sounds good and the price is affordable. Thanks.

Sim

Hello Sim,

I highly recommend you to first send you Rotel CD player to the agent for a service and retune of the transport. When it is OK, then send it to us for the clock and analog upgrade. This will not cost you much money, but the CD player will sound as good as, if not better, than any player below the S$1000 price range.

Even if you buy a DAC, you still need the clock upgrade on your CD player to maximise the sound from the DAC.

The photo stages are solid state (IC or transistors) and you did not mention which cartridge you are using. I am planning to release a 6DJ8 tube phono amp for about S$300. Please watch out for my ‘Circuits to Build’ section.

Thank you!

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