I have owned an Audio Logic 34 (upgraded to 2400) DAC for about a year now. A few months ago I thought I would want to move to a one-unit player that could also play SACDs. I bought a Sony XA777 and was pretty disappointed in it as a redbook player. Mated to the AL DAC improved the sound greatly but even the tube dac couldn't take the harshness and "digitides" out of the Sony. I decided to forgo SACD and focus on the best possible redbook sound. I bought a used CEC TL-1 and find this to be a wonderful match with the AL DAC. Sounds almost analog and competes with SACD. Perhaps not quite as detailed but much more musical.
I would second the advice to mate CEC with an outboard tube dac. You can find used AL 34 for around $1200-1500 and AL 2400 for around $2000. Good luck!
I would second the advice to mate CEC with an outboard tube dac. You can find used AL 34 for around $1200-1500 and AL 2400 for around $2000. Good luck!