DAC recommendations for CDs in 2-channel system

The nice thing about something like an Oppo 205 is that you get a better transport and don't have to deal with jitter reduction or digital interconnects and that potential added expense.

  

In your dreams.  It still benefits greatly from reclocking and good cables.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

@audioengr - some questions, since you're covering topics I don't know much about:

- Whose filter and what method of filtering is used on the Synchro-Mesh reclocker?

- Do some DACs not play well with certain reclockers? I'm wondering about the upsampling feature and what to do if the DAC is doing the same thing.

- Why S/PDIF cable instead of Toslink from the CD player/transport to the DAC?

Finally, how much improvement am I likely to see from this approach vs. simply upgrading the DAC or using an Oppo multidisc player? The setup in my room is less than optimal - all of gear I mentioned in jammed into my 12' x 10' home office with wood floors, which I'm sure vibrate since the rack sits two feet directly in front of one of the Cornwalls.

I'm intrigued by what you're proposing, but just need to understand it a little better.

@audioengr - one more question for you: my preamp (Odyssey Audio Tempest) has only analog RCA inputs. Reading the Six Moons review of your device (congrats, btw), it appears your device has only digital inputs and outputs. Will analog output from the DAC to the preamp reduce the performance gains of the Synchro-Mesh?

Might want to take a look at Resonessence Labs DAC's, I'm using the Vertias, for CD play back and this DAC is a great little gem.  Good luck in your search.

Wow - Resonessence prices seem to push up against DACs from Pass Labs. If I were going to spend that kind of money, I'd either go Pass Labs or Mytek Brooklyn!