....check the new Rotel-971 $700 it got HCDC capabiliti, two 20-bit Burr-Brown chips, it is extremly detailed, and i think it would be perfect match for the Vandersteen speakers (they are on the dark side)Good Luck!
<1k,used transport or cdp?
after finally getting the speakers i want and electronics upgraded i'm looking to upgrade my cd player (1987 vintage denon). in the <1k range a i better off with a used transport (meridian 500, theta data basic II) using the dac in my ht preamp (b&k ref20) or a cd player using the dac in it.if so, which one associated items are parasound 2205a 5-ch amp and vandersteen speakers. i need to stick to a front-loading unit for space reasons. thanks for your help.