Current Inexpensive CD Vs High Priced 90's


Looking for advice as there are few dealers in my area to make comparisons with my own ears.

I'm having a bad stereo year & a bad financial year. Latest piece of gear to go is my PS Audio SL3 D/A. Repair MAY be an option, but there are no highly regarded shops anywhere near me.

The PS Audio is HDCD, but tops out at 20/96. I've been running the PS Audio with a 90's Teac/Esoteric P10 & Illuminati Digital Cable. The combined list on the 2 pieces + cable in the 90's when purchased was around $3200. I like the sound of the combination quite a bit.

With that said, how much of a downgrade sonically would the Oppo DV-980H be compared to my current rig?

Any other suggestions for an inexpensive solution (either 1 piece or outboard d/a)? My Esoteric Transport still plays perfectly, but on cdr's sometimes thinks about it for awhile before playing.

The rest of the system is a Mod Squad Line Drive deluxe pre, a mediocre Adcom 555 Mk 2 that I also hope to replace, NHT 2.5I speakers & various 90's Tara cables.
moomoo
Buy a refurb Sony 595 cd/sacd changer from Sonystyle for $60 and let your ears be the judge. If you don't like it, Sony will pick it up and refund all your money. Scary, you may never look back.
Thanks for the tip! One other thing I should mention, I do already have a budget Pioneer DV-578a universal player which I use for DVD & SACD, & would be looking to improve on it's sound.
Stanwal, I used to own both a Meridian 203 & a 263. I see you're a Meridian guy. Could you compare the MF V-DAC to the Meridians for a point of reference? The NF looks interesting.