C.d player with built in Pre amps i.e Wadia

Raysonic 168 is incredible, and affordable. See 6moons review.

I bought one, but had no intention to use the variable out. I found it so good, I sold a $3K preamp!

you will have a hard time equaling the Pass X01 preamp from just a cd player itself. It will be close and may be better in many regards, but in terms of dynamics and control the preamp cannot be matched. I have owned the Opus 21 basic and with GNSC. GNSC brings it closer, but still not 100% there. The newer wadias I have not heard, would be curious how the 581 stacks up direct?

Arbuckle, Have you had the mods done on Opus 21, you must not been happy, from what you wrote you no longer own it? Thanks Tweak 1 I will do a google, there must be other brands that do this? where does the Opus sit in terms of quality of over all preformance in a scale of 1 - 10 compared to payler up to 10,000 range?

Why only a digital volume control, a good analog volume control should be superior. Try Accuphase, Audiomeca, and Audio Aero. Also the Cary CDP's can have volume controls and sound quite good. Happy listening!

Opus 21 is one of the best players made period, in my opinion. I loved the GNSC Opus 21, sold it out of curiosity and now own an Esoteric X03se at almost twice the price. Is it better, yes in some ways. But the Opus is far more flexible, has a digital in and can run amp direct, which annoys me about the Esoteric that they can't have a digital in. I have thought on more than one occasion of saving some cash and going back to the Opus GNSC mod......but again, my point being is a preamp does offer better dynamics, albeit a small increase.