DAC recommendations for CDs in 2-channel system

There’s a Bel Canto DAC3VB with virtual battery power supply for sale here now at $1149. Original list was about $5000. I had this in my system on extended loan and was extremely impressed with its open and natural sound, and if I could’ve afforded it at the time it would still be here. Read the reviews. Unfortunately I don’t know how it would compare to the current R2R dacs, but I couldn’t find any faults with its sound and would be surprised if you weren’t likewise impressed. Certainly a good value at this price and certainly comparable with the rest of your system. Just one option FWIW. Best of luck.

Thanks for this. So far reviews look pretty good. This is probably the top end of what I'd spend, especially for an older model in a fast-changing category.

What about using a OPPO 105 or 205? $1100/1200 new, Its a awesome universal player (sounds like you spin discs) and has more connections then you’ll need or want,connects to your stereo with a pair of RCA’s or XLR’s nice :-) Built in dual ESS Saber dac’s make it sound very good indeed not to mention the video you get. You can connect a server/streamer too with its USB audio input, future proof!

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/oppo-bdp-105-universal-blu-ray-player-and-dac

https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205

P.S. no better value out there right now (105), for $1100 (new) you get a 3K player.

Matt

Buy the OPPO 105/205! Chris Martens review in TAS is RIGHT ON! A superb sounding player that can serve as your media hub for ALL digital formats!

Oppo or something similar may be a good way to go in your case since you say your CD player is crappy and Modi Uber is not particularly high-end. That said, if I were in your position, and had a moderately decent CD player, I would get a Denafrips Ares R2R DAC. Its's under $700 and should be a great upgrade from what you currently ave. On the lower end of the scale, I've had good experience using a Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus with my semi-crappy CD player. Its under $350. Or, you can just change course completely and get a streamer for under $500 and a Tidal subscription and hear most if not all your CDs at equal or better quality plus an additional huge catalog of music from all over the world.