NOS DAC or CDP?

First of all thanks for the responds so far (and please keep them coming). First of all if I go the NOS DAC route, I would be running the DAC between the changer/transport and my amp (Jolida 502a), basically not thinking of going the computer route (call me "old fashion"). Btw, I've heard of the Valab and the Paradisea, and have been reading the various reviews and comments on those units. I also wandered over to the Pacific Valve and Audio site, to check out some their offerings.

Here's the four I'd most likely be interested in.

Pacfic Valve Fathom DAC
Giga Lab Moon DAC
Lite DAC AH
DAC AH Modified

So curious on whether anybody has an experience with these units, or even dealing with Pacific Valve and Electric and what their thoughs might be. Again, thanks.

Cleaneduphippy - NOS DAC is sensitive to jitter and will sound better with good transport. I would avoid using optical unless you need to break ground loops.

I use upsampling-jitter rejecting DAC (Benchmark DAC1)with the cheapest transport I could find ($70 DVD player) and I like the sound a lot (plus DVD players have great tracking).

" I would avoid using optical unless you need to break ground loops."

Unfortunately, the digital output on my changer is an opitical one. Amd yes I understand that NOS DACs are senitive to jitter, but how would one determine in advance whether ones transport is "jittery"? Fact of the matter is, if I go the NOS VAC route, then I understand I'll be buying in addition to the DAC, an upgraded power cable and the optical (Toslink) connection, now if I have to add another transport, than chances are I'll go the CDP route. Basically I'm trying to work with what I got.

Btw, curious on the sound of the Benchmark DAC. I generally go for a warmer, more analog type of sound than an analytical one, of course I do have tubes in my system, so perhaps my worries are unfounded.

Cleaneduphippy - Jitter is a noise in time domain. You can either get good dedicated transport (expensive) and good digital cable or jitter supressing DAC. How to determine if transport is jittery? Just check specifications or opinion on audio forums. Optical cable is probably the worst choice since signal edges are slow and jitter is most likely worst than coax.

I'm not sure what you call "analytical". Benchmark is very clean and transparent (not designed for warmish sound). It had also great reviews. Avoid used ones.

Kijanki,

Exactly what spec do I check? Looking at my owner's manual I find this information.

"Proprietary AccuPulse Quartz System with Polysorb virtually elimates the possibility of timing errors in the in the clock oscillator"

"Wow and Flutter: Beyond the threshold of measurability"

That sounds to me that I shouldn't have a issue with "jitter" but hey, what do I know? Just trying to educate myself. Also I understand about the issues with optical cables, but if you had read my previous post then you would have clearly seen that my digital output IS an optical one. Pretty much eliminates other digital options, at least as far as using that player.

Btw, I have read some reviews on the Benchmark DAC and it does sound like a good DAC that many people would like, but I also get the feeling that it won't be delivering the sound presentation that I would be looking for, unless I willing to have the unit modded. Now is that road I would want to go down? Probably not.

Basically what you're telling me, is that for a $500 or less price point to forget about going the DAC route, especially using a NOS DAC. And it's a point well taken. Perhaps I would be better off for the money getting a used Jolida (which I had before and liked especially with a NOS 12AX7, and perhaps an upgraded "power cord") or some other simliarly price CDP unit (new/used). And as I'm the type of person who "searches for simplicity", and it appears going the DAC route might be more of a PITA than it worth, and perhaps it's something I should keep in mind.

Thanks for your comments.