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Rega Apollo: buy a DAC or buy a new/newer CDP?

Rega Apollo supposedly has a very good transport. Would a quality outboard DAC provide a MAJOR improvement in sound quality?? Or, is the smarter move to just buy a new CDP like either a used Sony XA 5400ES or a Cambridge Audio 840C, or 851C

All three of these players have appeared several times for sale on AG. I am giving up analog and CD's will be my only source.

Having only a one source system, should I investigate an even better CDP than the ones cited above??
sunnyjim
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Had same problem, solution was a old Oppo DV-970HD with a Peachtree DAC.
I thought it sounded better than my buddies 5400 ES I borrowed for comparison, so did he for that matter.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Schubert, Thank you for the comment. I floated a similar thread out about three years ago when the DAC issue was hot. Many members said... save your money and buy a new CDP, because an under $1000 DAC would only make a marginal improvement, if any with the Rega, even the Rega DAC

Nevertheless, I have considered the above CDP's; some claim the 840C is the smoothness, others give the Sony the highest marks.

If you have any suggestions for DAC's under $1000, please let me know. The Micromega DAC at $400 is supposedly a killer, or even the original Peachtree "My DAC" which supposedly has had lots of reliability problems
realremo
460 posts
 
I'm going out on a limb here. Haven't done this in a while. Here's my $1000 recommendation:
Currently owned Rega Apollo-->
Lifatec Silflex optical cable $55 currently on A'gon-->
Empirical Audio Synchro-Mesh re-clocker $699 at http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/synchro-mesh-->
Kimber Kable D-75 digital coax $69 currently on A'gon-->
Musical Fidelity V-DAC $149 currently on A'gon
Total $972
The DAC is not that important if you have a great clock. It might not be pretty but I'll bet this setup would sound incredible.
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