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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
 
And if you really want to go crazy:
http://www.innuos.com/en/catalog/go/zenith-mk2-std
ejr1953
917 posts
 
I have enjoyed a PS Audio DirectStream DAC, and the PerfectWave transport (interconnected with an I2S cable)...and took a "leap of faith" and ordered a DirectStream transport.  From what I read, my new combination will be impressive.

Can't wait for the new machine to arrive!  Will update this forum after it's done so, been broken in and I have something to share.
deepee99's avatar
deepee99 OP
86 posts
 
The Innuous ZENith Mk II will be here in a few weeks. With 1 terrabyte (expandable to 4) SSD it should have plenty of room for all my CDs; built-in Teac slot drive, and controllable with any wireless MS, iOS or Linux/Droid tablet/phone, I’ll continue to use the Oppo BDP-103 for single-play. I returned the UDP 203 as unnecessary. All plugged into the LaScala DAC - the Oppo via RCA-type S/PDIF and the storage unit by a high-quality (probably Kimber silver) USB 2.0. Both the Oppo and Innuous optical drives are easily and inexpensively replaceable. The Innuous can accommodate up to 4 TB external SSD but with prices coming down I’ll wait on that. At least it already has a USB 3.0 receptacle ready when the time comes.The Aquos La Scala requires hard-wiring from your DSL/cable modem for streaming and album artwork, but terminated Cat 6a ethernet cable (I like Blue Jeans just fine for this application) is only about $1/foot for a 50-foot run around all the obstacles in the basement. I toyed going the J-River route but am tired of spending weeks writing Linux hacks and would have to upgrade my existing drives on 10-year-old computers, anyway.
I realise I started this thread in search of a stripped-down, high quality DAC-less CD-only xport. The MSB was a real temptation but they use the Oppo optical drive as well, so turns out what I was looking for was sitting here on the shelf all along. Thanks for all the input and allowing me to think through this tube guy’s introduction to solid-state playback and storage.
Any other thoughts duly appreciated and again, thanks for the ideas.
Dave
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