Best Cd player 1000.00 range used as transport ?

There is a Metronome T20 Signature dedicated transport on here right now for $750, an incredible deal. As said above, why buy a DAC you're not going to use, when you can buy a piece optimized for your needs? Good luck!

I picked up an Esoteric (Teac) P1 transport for about $900 USD recently- circa 1988. Built like a tank, the transport is actually the top version that uses the Teac VRDS clamping system. Let's put it this way- I sold my Audio Aero Capitole once I heard this oldy-but-goddie transport with a good dac- no contest. Tough to find though. I do know a guy here in Toronto who has one in mint condiiton that he would sell for $1,500 USD.

Agree with the above postings. If you've already got a good DAC then buy a dedicated transport (Theta, Meridian etc). If you don't yet have a DAC save yourself the trouble and buy the best one box player you can find.

Sean- I have been the high-end one-box route, and would not go back that way unless something came along that blew me out of the water. Transport-Dac combo is the way to go IMHO.

Sutts, do you take cost into account. For $1000 total outlay you still prefer two-box, over one box. (BTW I have a 3 box setup inc monarchy DIP that cost $500 total, which I think outperforms any $500 one box player I have heard, but these are all ancient pieces, from early 90s ... and it took a lot of messing around to get it right, plus homebrewed cables).

The one big advantage for a two box approach is you can buy a very old but very good DAC without having to worry about the reliability of an old CD transport. I don't believe the hype on modern DACs ... oldies can be goodies because of great output stages, power supplies and general over-design.

Darryl ... I think the optimum performance for the money, if you don't mind rolling up your sleeves, is to get a 10yr old top end DAC (e.g. Theta) and a cheap new player (e.g. Marantz CD5000) and then add a dedicated after market reclocking, buffered digital out, like the one from trichord (There are other cheaper available). $500 DAC, $250 Marantz, $200 upgrades.

Or you can save a lot of time and get a one-box player. If I had to do it all over again that's what I'd do.