Used DAC or Used CD Player???

I think my issue now is...I can get the monarchy 18B with the DIP for less than $500 total. Would this investment be worth it? Would this combo sound as good as the rega planet or jupiter or any other $1500 player??

I am trying to cheap out right now, and although i can spend $1500 in the future for something, I cannot spend that right now.

Should I wait to afford the new cd player for around $1500, or just spend the $500 now and suck it up for about 1.5 years till I can afford levinson separates?

The 18b and DIP will certainly be a MAJOR improvement over your CD63, particularly in imaging and definition. Since you have a preamp why get the Monarchy 18 (which includes preamp and volume) ? The model 22A and 22B is the same DAC (more or less) for about $100 less, without the preamp.

If you get a 22A/B/C plus a DIP and you buy both used the cost should be about $350-$400. This will be a great bang for the buck, and you'll lose no more than $100 on resale if you decide to go for a $1500+ player in the future.

BTW the guy I bought my 22A DAC from was using it with a Rega Planet as a transport and he said the 22A sounded better than the stock Rega planet.

I don't know which Planet it was ... that was all the seller told me. I've never heard a planet, though I own a Rega Planar 3 so I know rega is capable of making good stuff. Whether a Rega planet would sound better than a CD63 with DIP and monarchy 22 DAC I don't know (obviously since I haven't heard a planet).
However I do know that a 63 with a DIP and 22A DAC is very much better than a stock CD63, and rivals a Meridian one box player which I heard about 5 years ago in clarity, definition, stereo imaging etc etc.
I just wanted to make my position very clear so noone thinks I'm giving biased advice. FYI I use a Densen B100 amp and Spica Angelus speakers, so I have quite a revealing setup, though not an expensive system.

Hola: I would suggest to check out the new Channel Island VDA-1 DAc from Dusty Vawter. I use a MSB Link modified by CIA and with Monolithic Sound HC-2 external power supply. My audio buddy uses a CAL Dx-2 which he was intending to sell after hearing a Rega Planet 2000 and his player with my combo (also including a DIP 24/96). After several thoughts he ended ordering this under $400 dac and a Dip. He is very impressed with it's performance out of the box and incresing with every hour break-in it.

The total cost of both units are under $600 and new. The benefit is that you can have it on trial and if you are not convinced, just return them.

I haven't hear it yet but will do soon, so if I prefere it over my Link, you will see it on sale too.

Regards,

Jose.