Budget CDP upgrade: DAC or new CDP?

I would say we have to take into consideration both sides. Specs is not the way to choose audio equiment, otherwise Sansui would be best ever ;) However I prefer to like how it sounds "due to" and not "in spite of"... how it's designed - in second case it usually reminds about himself... after return policy has already ended. I believe jitter is a parameter of overall quality of almost any digital component...

Of course, one would expect a $1000 stand alone DAC to outperform a relatively one box player in most circumstances. The manufacturer doesn't have to pay for a transport, etc. From what you have stated, I think you might be focusing a little too much on specs. What you hear is really much more important than looking a jitter specs. Jitter is likely to be more of a concern with an outboard DAC and transport than it will be with a one box player. There are literally scads of players in the $1500 range, and I can't claim to have heard them all. Some possibilities to look into include the Linn Ikemi, Rega Jupiter, Classe CDP-10, Ayre CX-7 and the Sony SCD-XA777ES. All are very, very good and could be had in some form for less than $2000.

If there was something perfect as a transport (lowest jitter) even with not the best DAC section, paired with some pretty good DAC, it might beat some best CD players around. But I find difficult to determine CDP with the lowest jitter...

Dmitrydr

i am exactly at your situation, i am now currently using the MF A3 cd-player. I am not sure what to do next, i have consider the wadia 12 dac or the wadia-32x... i am so confused,,, i have also look at the Shanling T-100 ... ,now i really dont know what choice should i go for .. ? anyone knows if the wadia will give out those warm and rich soubding like the shaling with its valve output ?? help ...!!

Would you name some of the besr CD players in this price range - where to start from...

Thanks Thsalmon. I'm just trying to understand what's the advantage to go with DAC vs. more expensive CDP (or vice-versa), in the given price range. Multiple reviews for inexpensive (~$1000) DACs all tell that there is a huge advantage of DAC over 'just cdp'...

This is really a difficult question. In your price range, you have many, many good options. Personally, I was not very impressed with the Musical Fidelity DAC, even though I LOVE my Tri-Vista SACD. If you shop around, you could probably get a Chord DAC 64 for close to your price. The Chord DAC is amazing even at retail. However, I think you should also consider a Modwright "Universal Truth" Pioneer DV-47 with the tube output stage. It is an amazing machine, and it will play all formats with aplomb. If you buy a new unit online and pay for the mods, you could still come in less than $1.5K. I won't even go into all of the reasons why some might prefer an outboard DAC versus a one box machine, but if you go for one box, you will at least save some money on cables.