Portable CD Player with Digital out

Buckingham,

Seems like a lot for traveling. I live on the road as a medical contractor and have had several combinations and permutations. I've found either an NAD L-40 or Linn Classik paired with NHT SuperZeros or Rogers LS3/5As on VERY light (non-metal base and top plate) Lovan 24" stands works well.

I have lookd and looked for a portable CD player w/a digital out, but the only one I ever knew of, and once owned, was the original Radio Shack Optimus 3400, or whatever the model no. was, that Sam Tellig and everyone raved about back in the early 90's. I used to use that CD player w/a DAC-Man from Audio Alchemy in a little system in my kitchen. The Optimus eventually stopped running and the new models at Radio Shack didn't have the digital out anymore. Everytime i check portables at Circuit City, Best Buy, or the Shack, I find none w/a digital out. Maybe this thread will turn up something.

Buckingham, for those portable questions, you should visit www.head-fi.org. To answer your questions based on my limited experiences, SONY's DE7xx or better do have digital out. Most of Pana don't, in US market. But again, I would recommend simpler config, namely SONY D-25S, which is 12 years old model but/therefore VERY good sounding DAC inside with all metal chassis. Not suitable for actual portable purposes. You can find it on eBay from Silicon Salvage without headphone or AC/DC adapter or battery at $45. Real bargain. I am using it in my den through ASL's MG Head, but not much difference sound quality from its headphone jack. Ken