[lurcher]

Thanks for the reply Otto!

I did consider the DAC route but the CD player is eight years old and Arcam are not known for making good transports like TEAC or Pioneer.....
Also the CD player has started making a hissing crackling type noise that can be heard from the speakers, I've tried different cables, different mains cables, filters, mains socket, amp and I cannot eliminate the problem.
I think there is a fault on the PSU, the problem was there before the Superclock upgrade and maybe it's time to retire the Arcam.
I do love the dynamics, punch and scale I get with the system so I'm looking for a CD player with a similar analogue sound but the build will be better than the Arcam. The problem is that the only two hi-fi shops near me (Oxford, UK) are so dedicated to certain brands that they won't accommodate anything out of their stock list. Even with the temptation of cash sale won't make them oblige me!
Still, I'll have to go further afield for a demo to hear the players in my shortlist!

All the best,
Mark.