Cd player w/ digital input + volume control $2500

...Also, I suppose an alternate approach would be to get a really good DAC with volume control, and then a separate CD transport of some kind.

I have an EAD Ultra DVD player that has served me well as a transport in the past, and I could re-purpose it as a transport.

Suggestions of equipment to consider are much appreciated.

---Michael

Thanks Ejlif, I'll check them out.

Ejlir,

That's a very good thought, and something I have considered, but without extensive testing, I didn't figure I would be able to answer it, so I appreciate the feedback.

That opens me up to a much less expensive DA and a really excellent preamp... which may be good for me, as I am generally partial to tube preamps.

If I were to aim for $500 to $1000 in a DAC, what would you recommend considering? My preferences tend to fall on a darker sound. If you have heard the Cary 303/300, you know what I like.

---Michael

Good recommendations all.

I'll look into all and see what I can find.

I understand the sonos has a lot of jitter. Should I be looking for a re locking DAC? I do coincidentally have a monarchy dip 24/96 here...

---Michael

I've done a lot of research on all of this now, (but am no closer to an answer!).

I am heavily favoring a pair of Totem Fire speakers at the moment. The Earth speakers would be my preference, but I'm not sure about the cost of those. Anyway, for amplification, I am leaning toward a McIntosh MC275 or something similar. Not sure about a preamp yet.

What I don't like is the edginess of cheaper digital, I wold also prefer less detail in favor of listenability in general. I plan to use the system a lot at times, it will be in a room of the house where it will supply background music for my darkroom, and my darkroom sessions can go on for hours...

Because of this, I have been considering NOS DACs. The upsampling DACs seem to have better detail, but some people find them a bit strident, and edgy. That is exactly not what I want. The new Totem speakers could also be somewhat unforgiving in this respect as well, because the have more of an attack to them that their previous speakers.

All of this has me thinking of something like a MHDT Havana or possibly the Audio GD Reference 7.1 (although that one is really pushing my budget). Maybe the EE unit as well.

I think I am going to abandon idea of a CD player/DAC combo device. I have one I can use into the DAC, and I guess I'd rather not be putting money into that technology anymore.

Bradz, The Opus is one that I have considered. They get rave reviews for sure, and I guess I need to rethink that a bit.

Ngjockey, I've read some good things about the Audiolab gear, so I'll look into it a bit more.

I decided to purchase a Metrum Octave, as the current exchange rate is a little more favorable.

If I don't like it, I'll sell it, I guess, but by all accounts, it may match what I want/need in a DAC.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Now, on to preamp decisions...

---Michael