suggestions for top quality CDP running direct

If you want a real life, inexpensive preview of what eliminating your pre-amp may sound like, take a look at tweakaudio.com where the Ultimate Attenuators are sold.
These are plugged directly into amp RCA input jacks, acting solely as stepped volume controls, and eliminating separate pre-amp with its pair of interconnects presently in the signal path. Ultimate Attenuators seem sonically invisible.
Allows for any CDP, even one with fixed analog outputs.
There is a model for either transistor, or tube amp.
Rather than simply running direct, when the pre-amp was gone, I discovered the SCE Harmonic Recovery box which better optimized the transfer of analog musical information exiting my CDP. So, in the end one pre-amp box was discarded, only to be replaced with one SCE Harmonic Recovery box. The payoff was getting audibly better sound than with either the original pre-amp, or with no pre-amp. Just one way that one change may lead to another.

Top quality in what price range? Are you interested in an expensive gamble or are you able to audition a lot of different players? These are important questions that will help determine a good recommendation.

Not knowing the answer to those questions, I would hardly recommend the Resolution Audio Opus 21. It is $3500 new, direct from the manufacturer and can sometimes be purchased used for $2400-2600 (You want the "new" transport only). I mistakenly sold mine because I was concerned about the flood of "recommended players" at dirt cheap prices. Well, I'm finding out that "you get what you pay for". Resolution Audio has a 30 day return policy with a small restocking fee. BTW, the RA Opus 21 is the best I've ever heard, but I have not heard the Accuphase, AudioMecca or Audio Aero. They are too expensive for me comfort level.

I've also owned the Theta Miles (balanced), Cary CD-308 and Birdland Odeon Lite DAC which all have built in volume control (The Odeon does not have remote). Based on my experience, I would purchase a Cary CD-308T (tube) if I only had $1500 to spend. Also, the Birdland O'deon AG and Benchmark DAC1 have volume control.

Just some possibilities. If your pockets are deeper (or looser) I'm sure you can do better than my suggestions.

Enjoy,

TIC

I sell both Pass and Resolution Audio. I firmly believe the Opus is the best direct capable cd player out there, and one of the best overall at anywhere near its price. We have demoed and owned Accuphase, EMC etc etc, and the Opus beats them all to our ears.

With that said, we run the Opus both direct and through a preamp into our Pass gear. Only with higher end preamps do you notice greater dynamics, i.e., X1 and X0.2. I imagins with your rig you will give up some aspects due to the Ref II being a great preamp. But if you want to get rid of gear and clean up your system, the Opus is a great buy! I beleive it is sonically superior to you DAC and transport, so the main question is do you run direct from the opus or go through the REFII, that is your call and budget decision.

Let me know if I can help at all.

Hi, sorry for my poor english. I'm from Italy and have the Amati Homage and Capitole mk2 as cd player.
While I strongly recommend you to listen to the Cap., I'm not sure that running direct is the best for the Amati's. I have tried the Cap direct in my Gamut D200 mk3 and ARC D115, but , in my system, room and ears, always liked more through my pre ARC sp11 mk2 (real NOS Amperex 6922 outfitted),
provviding more air between performers and a bit more micro-dynamic.(things that Amati's appreciate).
I would suggest you to try some good tubes in your Ref II mk1 if you haven't already done.

,

The only CDP that I have found that delivers the same magic as my reference separates is a Shanling T200 with the full Parts Connexion mods and the EA Turbomod. Really superb from both the SS and tubed outputs. Cost is really high at around $6500 though.