Upgrade Question

Yes, after trying a transport + DAC for a while, I had such a revelation that I went back to a Luxman one-box CD player.

I went with a transport so (a) the money paid for it would go just into those components and not (b) a DAC in the unit. I wanted a separate DAC because I imagined it would likely be better and it could evolve or change without affecting the reliability and quality of the transport. The fact that I now stream and do CDs via the DAC is an added bonus but one need not stream in order for the separates approach to make sense.

I, too, only spin the digital medium, which includes SACD, DVD-A


I have played musical chairs with various dacs. Among the issues with an outboard dac (unless it is a dac/pre) is the extra shelf, and money for proper; vibration controls, interfacing cable, power cord, AND the fact that they don’t read SACD or DVD-A. If ones’ system is revealing, the benefits of the hi-rez mediums is well worth being able to spin them, too


My solution was to upgrade my Oppo 105. It is well known that the 105s Achilles Heel is the oem power supply. Thanks to one company on ebay who provides excellent DIY photos replacing it is super easy, no soldering needed. So for about the price of a quality power and a half hour of time, a SERIOUS upgrade is at hand. Oh, and leaving the lid off once finished further enhances the result


AND, as a bonus, I no longer use a preamp as the 105s built in VC is excellent. Now, best is to use the XLR outs into a true balanced amp

hth