Where's Digital playback at today ?

Amongst the big boy stuff you are likely to be able to actually audition (of stuff I have heard anyway), I would say the only thing you would probably go for is the Playback Designs MPD3 via DSD - but only via DSD.

I have heard two DAC's via PCM that surpass it, but they are made in minuscule quantities - one by a small maker - the Phasure DAC, and another a handmade DAC based on an enthusiasts heavily tweaked design and built to order called the Killer.

You can see my write up of both here:
http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=4874.0
http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=4783.0

Of those two however the Killer would be more suited to those of analogue tastes.

Trouble is unless you live in Australia you would have Buckley's of hearing one - which is a pity.

Thanks
Bill

Bill this is interesting, thank you.

The Esoteric K series have received good reviews from both magazines and users. The K-03 and K-05 can be purchased for under $8,000 used.

Another option is that Sony has just come out with a player, the HAP-Z1ES ($2,000), that plays DSD and PCM downloads. There are quite a few downloads available now and Sony promises to make a wide variety of DSD downloads available. Sony also says that the other two major music groups, Universal and Warner, are on board with the plan.

I'm waiting to see some reviews and more downloads before I do anything with this. Acoustic Sounds has a Super HiRez section on their website if you'd like to see whats available now. Sony just started shipping the players Dec. 30th.

IMO, most CDPs today have very good DACs and decent transports. In recent years, the importance and quality of the master clock in a CDP has evolved to a level in which CD can compete with an analogue rig. Controlling jitter is the major factor in a good digital setup.

Such CDPs at this level would be Wadia, Esoteric, ARC (Audio Research), Ayon, and the ModWright Sony. These are in the $5k to $12k range and have exceptional DACS, master clock, and isolation systems.
I own an ARC for Redbook, but unless you are committed to CD or SACD, most people are spending this kind of money on transport and DAC systems.

Bill (Bhobba) is one of the more interesting digi-seekers to follow. Personally, I took him up on his impressions of the Metrum Acoustics Octave. For under $700 I finally found a more analog digital presentation that I could listen to comfortably.

Stereophile's John Atkinson reviewed the $3499. Marantz NA-11S1 Player & DA Processor and, "was astonished by how close," it sounded when compared directly to the $43,325. MSB Diamond DAC IV.

Digital is the most improving source going as such it can also result in some of the most depreciated gear on the used market. Unfortunately, to ring out the potential of whatever you buy you can still do a great deal of hot rod like tinkering. I seems there is also room for improvement in managing and getting files from their storage to the DAC.

DSD has returned with varying recording and mastering quality. DSD capable equipment is the new norm and currently the differences in the way manufactures decode DSD can be somewhat ambiguous.

Personally, I find the digital communities ambiguity toward the rear end of their playback systems when describing the many incremental improvements interesting. One fellow in particular who is obviously extremely computer literate yet listens via a sound card and small powered speakers.

There should be some notable advancements announced at this years CES. With your budget you should easily better your current digital front end, and by a substantial degree. Study up...