What makes a Cd player a Great cd player

Wow, didn't realize the DCS DAC architecture could be had for that price! I'd jump on that deal if the Arcam sounds anything like the DCS gear I have heard!

Mapman - I could be wrong about reason (production yield) - look here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1186749514

The main problem with DACs is how to get better than 16 bit linearity. Most you can get in traditional architecture is around 18 bit. Sigma_Delta DACs can deliver much better linearity but it is only in specifications. Fast Sigma-Delta has timing issues (inaccuracies)that effectively translate to noise and limit resolution perhaps to the same 18 bits. Ring-Dac allows to get a little more by rotating components to get accurate dithered average current on the output of the DAC. Original CD data is only 16-bit but digital filtering increases resolution.

Yes, the ring dac architecture for applying dither from what I have read strikes me as a very practical way to achieve higher resolution yet retain a smooth response and full dynamic range. When I've heard the DCS gear, what my ears heard was consistent with what I would expect having investigated the technology in more detail a bit later after the fact.

That DCS sourced system produced some of the most natural sounding massed orchestral strings I have ever heard from a CD source. I attribute at least part of that to the unique Ring DAC design.