Transport and DAC or Upgrade CDP?

Thanks for all the responses. To start it seems to make sense to add a DAC, which would only help going to digital music down the road.

So, for now, how do I evaluate my two CDPs as transports? I could just say the 25.2 is better because it's more expensive, but I have heard 540D is quite good. Also, how much is it really going to matter? Funds aren't unlimited and CD25.2 will surely fetch me more (one will be sold).

You asked, " how do I evaluate my two CDPs as transports?" Either will do the basic job, especially if you get a DAC with excellent jitter rejection (like the Benchmark that I recommended in an earlier post to this thread). I once owned a Cambridge 640D and found that its transport was mechanically noisy, making high-pitched whiny sounds audible during quiet passages of music. That might have been the case only with the unit I owned, which sat only a few feet from me in an office system. I've read that the Music Hall transport operates smoothly and quietly, but I haven't tried it myself. You have both units on hand, so you should keep the one that works best for you. I'd probably keep the Music Hall since, as you noted, it sounds better than the 540D, and who knows, after trying DACs, you might just decide that you're satisfied with the Music Hall on its own. At least you'll know whether the DAC represents a significant upgrade to your ears (which is what matters). By the way, you'll need a 75-ohm digital cable -- I'd suggest you go with one from Blue Jeans Cable (Google it) or from Canare (advertised on Audiogon, search "Canare") -- both are excellent performers, good values, and soundly engineered, free of snake oil.

Usually the better sounding CDP is the better transport.

Another digital cable recommend for not a lot could be something from Chris Somavigo – Stereovox xv2, or his latest Black Cat 1.25M @ $125. the XV used should come in under that amount or right at it. I own the XV2 but haven’t heard the Black Cat.

I’ve also used reputedly 75 ohm cables from places like Blue Jeans and Canare among others and you really do get what you pay for here in the majority of cases.

I have a 2M no name RCA digi cable I’ll send you for $35 incl’d shipping if you want a smooth warmish sounding presentation. I seldom use it and it resides in my BR system.

A good jitter control DAC is the Bel Canto DAC 3. it’s jitter control is great using SPDIF; BNC; or AES, TOS & USB are very good. Two sets of outputs RCA & XLR, and it can be used as a preamp for all of it’s digi inputs.

You can also upgrade it to get off the grid for $600. Or you can get one of the newer itterations in the ‘.5’ series that possess varying levels of interfaces and flexibility…. But preowned the BC DAC III is a superlative value… and is quite ready for the notion of PC music down the road.

The DAC III has a neutral voice and outstanding bass and remote control.

For your above noted sonic preffs though, I’d think the Lavry folks would possibly be a better fit and cost you less money. I posted a review here on both of these dacs and one other some time back which may help if you care to look it over.

Good luck