5+ years old $5k player vs. current $2k player

There are always exceptions but in general with anything digital/computer based, you are almost always better of going with more recent technology than old at any particular price point.

Why? Because digital computer technology continues to improve all the time and will continue to do so for the indefinite future. Just look around you at most any consumer electronic device today and that much is apparent.

One thing that all these dac's should have but don't is a phase inversion option. It is also a reason I was attracted to the Minidac Plus. The W4S 2 has this as well.

I am in total agreement with Jeffga and Dtc. Based on many comments in the past that a new unit will blow away an old unit , I have tried several new units in the past two years and such is not the case. I think the power supply is a key element to the sound quality and newer chips are more detailed and less musical. I recently ordered the Sony xa5400 which is rated A+ in stereophile. My Anthem CD changer is getting old in the tooth and I use it as a transport to a modified Lite Dac60. The Anthem/Lite combo is more musical, more fleshed out and more dynamic. Even using the Sony as a transport, I still prefer the sound of the Anthem as a transport. Hard to believe but true. I am very dissapointed with the outcome as I like the smooth silent operation of the Sony + the 5 year warranty versus the clunky audible operation of the Anthem. PS, for the Sony lovers I have over 400 hours on it and the clouds have not parted yet. Maybe the latest batch is missing the magic?

There's as many answers as there are combinations. My old Theta David transport completely shamed my current OPPO BDP-83. If it didn't burn through laser transports every few years at a very high price, I would still have it.

for me...newer stuff. mainly due to changes in hi-res playback as well as pc audio.

btw....the psa pwt/pwd (and bridge) rock!