To answer the first part of your question, yes, you can use other players as a transport. The Alpha accepts balanced, coaxial, and Toslink (and some also do AT&T glass optical) digital inputs. Simply hook the digital out on your Denon 2900 to the CAL Alpha. You cannot, however, use the DAC for SACD (only regular CD's).
In fact, the Alpha can support 3-4 inputs and switch among them so that you can have at least 3 CD players hooked to it using the different connections on the back.
I'm not sure I understand what you are referring do when you mention that the DAC skips. I associate that more with damaged CD's and, less likely, the transport, rather than the DAC.
Michael
In fact, the Alpha can support 3-4 inputs and switch among them so that you can have at least 3 CD players hooked to it using the different connections on the back.
I'm not sure I understand what you are referring do when you mention that the DAC skips. I associate that more with damaged CD's and, less likely, the transport, rather than the DAC.
Michael