New CDP or new DAC?

There are a lot of opinions on the best approach for this scenario. There are those that believe that a transport is a transport and it is just the DAC that is important.

There are those that believe a great DAC with a mediocre transport results in the "weakest link" philosophy - ie. the great DAC's performance cannot be realized with a "mediocre" transport. FYI - I am in this camp.

There are good recommendations and comments above, so mine shouldn't be taken any differently than any other.

My recommendation would be to add to your list of options the idea of a better CDP with digital inputs. There are a lot of good players out now that fit this bill. This approach gives one the flexibility to add a computer based system. I also think it is easier to justify spending a little bit more via this approach - ideally ending up with a better and more flexible piece.

Good luck.

I too suggest a DAC and suggest the USB route via an Apple MacMini. Right now, I have three MacMini/DAC combinations on three systems and have sold my CDPs.

Careful selection of the DAC (I have the dbaudiolabs Tranquility and Tranquility SE, both of which are immensely pleasing in my systems, and the UltraFi iRoc, a little hidden jewel of the past); the USB cabling (suggest a listen to Ridge Street Audio, Locus Audio, or dbaudiolabs' Essential), interconnects and power cords; peripheral HD (I suggest Oyen; and playback software (iTunes is very good, but Pure Audio is much better) will yield results only very expensive CDPs can produce.

I know this sounds like a lot, but once it's set up, it's far more convenient and musically capable than a CDP. Look for items on Audiogon, talk to fellow DAC-ers, ask yourself what you want, and seek it out... I would never go back to a CDP.

:) listening,

Ed

Ed, I hear you and can understand your personal passion for computer based. However, not all of us are ready and willing to give up CDs, especially if one has a SACD player, large collection etc. . . I use a computer based server as well (via a Squeezebox/logitech Duet to my CDP/DAC) and love this convenience. I have had a lot of DACs/CDPs with d-inputs (EMM Labs, DCS stack, Esoteric, Wadia, Levinson, etc. . . ). While I think the sound is wonderful, i am not 100% sure it is better or possibly quite as good - but that may be an illogical bias!

Computer based is wonderfully convenient and when done right sounds wonderful.

I'd go the DAC route and will offer as a suggestion a Blue Circle 509 - roughly $1200

Ckoffend,

Thanks for your thoughts. If you like recorded music, particularly TT audio without its disciplines, I'd give a MacMini sourced DAC a serious listen.

When/before you do, listen to what DACers have to say.

High quality DAC is quite surprising in an incredible variety of levels.

I've never heard a CDP play as well as a well-selected Mini-sourced DAC system. But the only way you will know is by exercising some social skills, some critical thinking, and some personal selection, experimentation, and experience.

:) listening,

Ed