Recommend a DAC for my system....please.

You can get a P1A/P3A w/Monolithic sound PS for really good prices right now. If you can find one with the Modwright Mods, this is a really nice unit.

Try finding a Chord 64DAC and a CEC TL2X transport. Warmth, speed, bass-all the right stuff in spades. Very musical. Use good quality power cords and digital cable, preferably use XLR.

If you want to go the route of SACD, I have a Marantz SA-14 SACD/CD player that sounds exactly like you are looking for.

John Marks uses it in his set-up for CD playback.

Richard
PS. Mine is NOT for sale

I'm in the same club as Lafish. I've owned both the SFD2mkII
and still have the Processor 3. Good value used, great parts quality, & you can fine tune them with tube choice. SFD2'mkIIs are like $1500. used, an incredible deal IMO....add something like a used Genesis Digital Lens (also a used steal, these things really work on jitter) and you will have a very musical DAC. The Processor 3 is indeed a notch better, separate power supply etc. Both recommended!!

Thanks to everyone so far.

Platypus, why do you think that the Levinsons are a bad choice?

Any comments on the Kora Hermes?