Benefit of DAC? Thinking of Bel Canto 2

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated. .

Lilavine
Consider a used Sonic Frontiers SFD2mk2 DAC or even the Northstar Designs M192 combo(transport/DAC).
George

Lilavine,
One of thepleasures of this hobby is the research required to make a reasonable choice. I think Lkdog makes some good points. This site and the various on-line audio magazines contain reviews of equipment. Enjoy the browse through various articles. Here are some good article sources:
Audio Asylum
Enjoy the Music
TNT Audio
Stereophile
6Moons
Stereo Times

Lilavine-

Take your time and do your research.
You can get very good digital for a reasonable price.
New digital units are the worst investment in audio-buy used and buy something that is well liked so you can sell it if you end up not liking it.

oops, meant to address my comment to lilavine and not mr. cedar...just change the names :)

Cedar, you're great. As you can clearly tell, this is a new hobby for me and frankly, the threads can get overwhelming, not to mention the costs. I appreciate your input.

Lilavine,
I've found this decision about the digital source to be a tricky one. The shortcomings of a good CD player usually are manifested by listener fatigue. The fatigue comes from harmonic distortion, imbalances at certain frequencies, or some other subtle trait. It takes time to become aware that something is wrong.
Accuphase makes some excellent CD players; and there are other good manufacturers, too. I think Accuphase would be an excellent choice. No, you would not need a DAC then. But you still might want one.
Most audiophiles enjoy the process of "upgrading" their system. I like to experiment in that way. I worked my way up to a Levinson 37 transport. Then, rather than change to a different transport, I began to have it improved - better internal wiring, better output transformers, etc. These changes have improved the music considerably. The Audio Horizons tube DAC I am using now is so good that I have lost my interest in changing that piece of equipment.
Perhaps it comes down to what you enjoy about this hobby. If you are content to listen to good music without making equipment changes then buy a CD player. These discussion forums contain many reports and opinions about various players. On the other hand, if you want to experiment with equipment while you listen, then make sure your source has a digital output.

Cedar- Following suit with the other guys...My Aloia 11.01 CDP has a crazy good transport and as an all in one- NICE...That unit goes for $2400...My Scott Nixon Tube Dac and power supply set me back a cool $600...Stereovox HDXV dig cable- $100...Fair price- VERY GOOD. good luck, brent

Cedar,
if i get a good single disk player, like say an accuphase, do i still need a DAC?

I like the approach of buying a DAC that reclocks the bitstream (Hagerman tech. or musical fidelity tri-vista 21 for example)and then using anything that suits your budget or fancy to spin the disks.

A carousel player may give inferior performance because its transport is less stable than that of a single disc player. You could improve your system by getting a good single disc player with solid transport mechanism and a digital output. Then, as the other components in your system improve, you can experiment with DACs.
If you wish to experiment with DACs immediately (I assume your carousel player provides digital output), then I suggest that you look at the Audio Horizons products. They sell a solid state DAC ($1295) which, to my ear, is much superior to the Bel Canto. I use the Audio Horizons tube DAC ($2195) with a modified Levinson 37 transport. It delivers superb music.