Replace my DAC or not?


Hi folks--

Be kind to me, I've been out of the digital loop much too long.  I have recently started up listening again after I moved to my new home.  I now have space for listening my set up.  So, here's my question:  I am considering a new CD Transport (PS Audio or MCT450), but now have thought about whether my DAC needs an upgrade, too.  My DAC is a dCS Delius, which I bought new almost 20 years ago.  Nothing wrong with it, just don't know if I am listening to a Dinosaur compared with what is out there.  I would very much want to limit my upgrade to a new Transport only and not have to shell out $6k or more for a new Transport.  

Thank you for listening.  
mbiondo
I agree with Steve about signal reclocking to reduce jitter. I recently connected the ISO Regen and LP1 power supply to my Ayre QB 9 DSD DAC and it's made a fantastic improvement. And my Ayre DAC is by technical standards, antiquated as well. But my DAC sounds analogue and with the hope of not sounding overly simplistic, that's what a DAC is supposed to do. I believe in certain tweaks and adjustments and there are plenty out there if they suit you.
The source is certainly important, but there is no need to spend this kind of money on a source. The ONLY thing that matters from a transport is the jitter at the end of the S/PDIF cable. Nothing else matters, nothing.
That too shouldn't matter if the receiving DAC properly cleanses the signal so as to rid it of whatever jitter happens to be present. 

I would recommend the Oppo for a CD/Blu-Ray transport.  Very reliable and solid construction.  Not too expensive.  Plays Blu-Ray perfectly too.  Even an older model is fine, such as a demo.

Also, buying a new DAC will not guarantee that it will be jitter-proof.  The vast majority of DACs benefit from low-jitter source, but many of the newer R2R designs will benefit even more.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

mbiondo
The dac you have is great keep it, and being a ring-dac sounds very good with RedBook pcm cd's or downloads.
If you don't plan to go DSD which I have never heard sound any better than well converted RedBook, stick with what you have and enjoy your collection which I bet is vast.
Use the money if you have itchy feet to upgrade speakers or amp.
I noticed your  Delius also has volume and balance ability in it, hope you've tried it direct into the poweramp.

Cheers George