How do I decide on a CD player or adding a dac?

Andy,
You finding the Apogees to be bright? You didn't seem to complain of this with our old speakers.
I would never entertain the thought of putting bucks into a DAC with that for a transport. Upgrade the disc player to a decent single disc player. Rega planet 2000 would be good; smooth and non-fatiguing sound.

From some expereance with and owning odyssey, DAC-AH, and many speakers and pre's.. Gotta tell you that the Passive line is gonna be thin in general, and those speakers are going to add to it.. Come down to that DVD player and its way to much plasic in the way. Dac-Ah is a very SOLID step in getting the Digital sound out of the way, but totally tamming your issue without some additional room acoustics, better look at a smooth active pre that will sweeten the mids and bass, even better probably a warmer Tube piece, conrad johnson or Cary type thing... But I think you might want to stay away from the cheaper Rogue tube pre with this combo, I know they are all over and tempting prices. Those amps will react to anything you put in front of them, they are like Glass windows very neutral to whatever is feed, they will warm up with something warm in front.. but the speakers and your room will be a bit hard edged with that style and all Reflective surfaces that you explain in your dialog.. Try the DAC -AH, you will like it Period just because it sounds like music and is rediculously cheap, but it will not work miracles with the whole problem this way.. You need to fatten the sound elsewhere.

I said it once ..I'll say it again..YOU NEED A DAC. The Pioneer is just fine as a transport.It sucks as a source though! I use one myself..it has given me zero problems compared to $1500 and above so called quality players in the past. So for now, I wouldn't worry about it.You will hear a significant difference going to the DAC AH or any other DAC in this price range over cd players remotely close in price. No doubt the room treatments will help also. You got to start some where...start with the source.

More of the weakness of the Pioneer such as jitter? Is there any non os dacs that can reclock or reduce the jitter? Sorry for my ignorance.

Just would like to hear from someone that has compared some of these lower priced dacs.

CIA, AVA, Lite Ah, Nixon, etc.

I was told that the lite cdp cleaned the Lite ahs clock.

Just trying to make a wise investment.
andy

Here's a link to one that does what you speak of Attraction DAC . Yes it cost more than the others, but from what I'm reading even the most expensive DACS or players in the world can't do what is claimed here. So $1200 could be considered a bargain. I'll find out soon..since I plan to buy one myself. FYI every player has jitter..no matter the cost.