Get a DAC for CD63SE or a new CD?

I also recommend a good quality outboard DAC. I use a Muse Model Two with Sony CA9ES and XA7ES CD players-- excellent results. The CA9 definitely needs the quality of the outboard DAC, but the XA7 doesn't. I used to have a CD63SE, and thought it was a little thin and analytical using its on-board DAC. I never did hook it up to an outboard DAC, but I would think the 63 would make an excellent transport. I like the many play/program features of inexpensive CD players and the music quality of good outboard DACs. I also use Theta TLC and Sonic Frontiers jitter reducers between CD player and DAC. Besides yielding better music, they also convert Toslink to Coax.. There are many good DACs under $1K.

$1000.00 don't buy first-rate player new.(I have not heard Musical Fidelity from audioadvisor.com).I have dealt with this company many times without any problem.If you call them talk to Ken or Chris.They also have demo.Parasound 2000 Ultra.This one I heard in my system.It was in completely different class than my Luxman 355(about the same or a bit better performance than your Marantz).But my unit (Parasound) was damaged in shippment and at that time they did not have a replacement.Later I bought from them CEC 5100Z new which is similar to the Parasound but,I think,is even better.Another alternative is to find used excellent converter and later replace your 63SE(I suggest CEC 5100,audioadvisor.com have it now for $800.00 new).I would go with Timbre DAC or,perhaps,Classe.

I say go with the Bel Canto DAC-1. I don't even see the new upsampling optioned MSB Link DAC getting close to it.

It seems that I'm the only one pointing at a complete new (or secondhand) player. As Dwright already mentioned, there are some problems concerning external DAC's, especially with adequate, but nothing special, digital outputs on your Marantz (I own a CD 63 KI, so I know what I'm talking about) and no possibility to lock the two internal clocks (player and DAC). If you like the sound of Marantz, go for something like the CD 17 or CD 17 KI, perhaps looking for secondhand players. Other alternatives include something like a Rotel RCD991, or the gorgeous looking NAD S 500.

Unless your CD player's transport is worn some, you still couldn't beat the DAC-1 with a player of similar price, even with problems of jitter. Have a look at their website: www.belcantodesign.com