Digital front end question

If you would like to have HDCD decoding, the Classe DAC1's have been selling for around $1000. The Musical Fidelity A3 24 is also very nice sounding. The Benchmark may need some mods to get what you want. Cambridge just released a new DAC that you may want to consider, but I'm not certain of the price. I've owned the Classe (CDT & DAC1 combo) and listened to the MF and Benchmark. I'm partial to the Classe combo due to spending more time with it. The sonic goals that you're reaching for will be affected by the transport just as much as the DAC. For the price used, your 7700 is quite a transport bargain at its price point. (I have one also) If you could budget the same amount on the transport as the DAC, it will be easier to achieve your sonic goal. In my system, "air" was not one of the 7700's better qualities.

Thanks Mrderrick .... Good to know you have first hand experience with the same transport I'm using. I'm now looking hard at the Lexicon RT-20 that Pete reccomended. It has nothing but glowing reviews on the web every where I look.
I'm open to literally anything, but would prefer a single box solution if possible.

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The biggest problem with separate dac/trans is the interconnection. Unless you have BNC or better I2Bus, it will transfer in the lowly SPIDF.

By getting a player you eliminate the SPIDF a digital interconnect, a power cord, a shelf, iso devices...

Players such as the Raysoinc 168 als bring a fantastic variable balanced tube output. Meaning you can forgo a preamp. I sold my $3K pre after breakin and comparison.

MSRP for 168 is only $2549

Tim,

I also used a DVP-s7700 as a transport and thought it was pretty good. Then a friend of mine who has a lot of upmarket gear (Wadia, EMM Labs) suggested that I upgrade, and I did. The Theta Pearl transport ($500 on Audiogon) was worlds better, especially in the bass, and the Theta Jade ($900 on Audiogon) better still. The transport makes a world of difference.