Quality CD player to also serve as external DAC?

I would back up the opinions of the Quad mentioned by the posters above. I recently acquired the CDP-2 (the official designation for the 2005-updated CDP-99; the original CDP99 seems to have had some transport-related issues, now fixed). The CDP-2 designation is not much used here in the US but google it and you will see that virtually all European dealers use it.

I did not understand your comment, Trubluluc, about being more than you need. The Quad is a cd player and also has six digital inputs (3 optical, 3 RCA-type) which makes it very versatile and seems like exactly what you need. (I think its DAC is very good btw). It also has a volume control and both fixed and variable outs so you can use with or without a preamp. Really, 3 units in one.

Anyway, am happy with mine. Another plus for me is I am in a downsizing mode, and I mean that more in a physical sense. The Quad is small (12" wide) and I love its looks after having played with some giant gear in the past. No doubt I will swing back that way again in a couple years but I am liking the small stuff now.

See if you can get one to audition. Or used at or under $1K is not a bad deal; you can probably sell it for the same figure if you don't like it.

Thanks Kick-

What I meant was: I didn't need so many imputs, one digital input would be enough. Don't need volume control either as I have a bryston preamp that I'm quite happy with, and who needs yet another remote control on the table right?
This may be a viable option however, because I simply can't find many high quality CD players with quality DAC's that have a digital imput for around 1000. used.
One would think it would be easy enough for manufactures to include an input. Because if the DAC is that good, I'm sure people would consider using it as a stand alone DAC, also and save having to buy another unit.

My only other consideration, and I know it shouldn't matter, but I hate silver componentry. Every other piece of gear I own, including my rack, is black. Putting one piece of silver in the system, would look odd.

-Luc

As for remote, you are still going to have a cdp remote, right? the Quad volume control is in the same remote of course.

As to color, well that is indeed personal. But the Quad is actually more grey (2 shades of it) than silver. I have other (bright)silver stuff and it does not go with them either. Vive la difference!

I thought the color would bother me (this actually held me back from buying the player for so long that the version 2 came out while I was thinking about that, over 6 months!). Turns out to be a non-issue. I think if you like the sound of any component well enough you (meaning I) give a darn about its looks as long as it doesn't look like &*^%. And the Quad is attractive in its own right. Different certainly. Will not match with anything except other Quad gear and that too in the 99 lineup. But what else in your system, if not made by the same mfg and in roughly the same timeframe (I know I am going to catch heat for this), really **matches** with anything else?

I asked Peter Qvortrup (Audio Note UK) if he could add a digital input, or two, to his new CD player. His response was that it would add more complexity and, hence, cost. His advice was to buy an external dac.

That is, unless you have that very good Musical Fidelity PreCD24 unit. Been listening to it and it is very good.

Why not just buy another inexpensive cd player (make sure it has a different digital out than your Sony Mega changer), and then by a separate DAC?

Most DACs I've seen will accept inputs from more than one source. That way you could experiment with the way different DACs sound in your system.