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What's the best non-DAC CD player?

Seems to me that the combination of a DAC and a CD transport in a single box is um, so "yesterday." Like buying an LP turntable where you're stuck with a particular tone-arm and cartridge.
DACs seem to be emerging on their own, and something you you want to experiment with. Whereas the transport is a mechanical device. Yet the "market" wants you to buy both in a single box to take advantage of one improvement or another in either, actually, separate device.
So, say, I've go the DAC I think I'll will to the grandkids. So what's the best transport (within reason) that will permit a swap-out to some DAC I believe sounds better, transport, without buying another whole box containing both?
Thank-you for your sage advice, or could you direct me to another, more relevant thread.
128x128deepee99
deepee99's avatar
deepee99 OP
86 posts
 
@reubent , and to the others ( guess you can do only one @pmotz )who have weighed into this.
This has been very helpful. Than-you. Again, a complex subject.
Here is what I am about to start with, being a tube guy:
Bought the Mark Levinson Madrigal player off flreabay. $600 all in.
Considerably more for the DAC:
https://audiorevelation.com/products/aqua-la-scala-mkii-optologic-dac/
from a dealer who is discontinuing them so a good deal.
I think/hope these will be good starting points, at least. The DAC comes with Telefunken volt-amp and buffer tubes and a few spares of lesser quality. Wish me luck. I will keep you posted. Again, many thanks for your help here.
Cheerio, deepee99 a/k/a/ Dave.




nordicnorm
313 posts
 
The Cambridge Audio CXC (~$450) is pretty highly regarded:
https://www.whathifi.com/cambridge-audio/cxc/review


Edit: Ooops! Just read your last post! Congrats on your find! Update us on your thoughts regarding your new system once it's all set up and burned in.
deepee99's avatar
deepee99 OP
86 posts
 
The Madrigal turned out to be flea-bit. Apparently they all were from the day they were new, on purpose. Long story but google Mark Levinson sometime for a sad history lesson on what Proceed did to him after they took over his company. Fortunately the seller took it back; he knew the history, I didn't. All the newer Oppos have an S/PDIF output and are very reliable. Spend your money on the external DAC.

reubent
6,978 posts
 
@deepee99,

True, the Oppo's all have digital outputs that you can use with a DAC. The Oppo's are generally listed as being about best-in-class at their respective price points (and above). However, the Oppo's are all/multi-format players. Most of the cost in the unit is in support of all of those functions, formats, etc. Get one if you want a quality multi-format player that will also play nicely with an external DAC.

However, your original post was regarding a "non-DAC" CD player, which I take to mean a CD Transport. If it is a CD Transport you want/need, why pay for all of that additional functionality, formats, etc.? A dedicated CD transport, like the Cambridge CXC, will likely sound as good (or better), will likely load faster (since it doesn't have to spend the time figuring out what kind of disk you've inserted) and will cost less (new retail is now only $459).

Good Luck in your quest......
deepee99's avatar
deepee99 OP
86 posts
 
@reubent
Actually, the Oppo BDP-103 has a dedicated "pure audio" circuit, whatever that means, selectable from the remote. However, I am learning towards the Cambridge as a stand-alone.
The Aqua La Scala is a true work of art, as it ought to be, given the $5k-plus price. The 12AT7s in it aren't mere buffers; they're actually the voltage amps, so good tube quality is essential of course. But the workmanship is nonpariel and could make even the lamest of transports sound fantastic. Plus I like the variety of inputs.
At any rate, thanks for the info.

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