Have You Heard the Northstar CD Combo?

I've heard the 'cheaper' combo with the Model 192 DAC. I'm not too fond about the transport though - my former PS Audio Lamba 2 SE sounded better with the 192 DAC, so I kept that combo. Since the PS Audio died I had to replace it, and still the Northstar transport didn't cut it. I have now bought a (totally revised) Alchemy Audio transport which allows me to take full advantage of the I2S connection. It's not that the differences are very big, just a sens of being more 'musical'. Off course that's to my ears in my system, so in your case the combo might be the best choice.

I have the 192 combo after having owned the transport for a while and using it with a Monarchy M24 dac. When I bought the 192 dac to go with the transport there was a subtle improvement, but things really got interesting when I started using the I2S interface. I ordered a Revelation Audio Lab I2S cable and never looked back.

Alas though, the 192 transport went on the fritz and so now I eagerly await its return. I didn't realize I would miss digital this much even though in the interim I get to listen to more vinyl.

Slowhand - Welcome to the Northstar club. I think you will be very happy over the long haul too. I have had the 192 Transport and DAC for over a year with I2S Rev Audio Cable and love them. A few months ago modded the DAC at MauiMods and it took it to another level. He also had a Transport mod available and given Satch's noting improvement with a different transport, I might try it.