Elite DV-47Ai or move on is the question...

Vineman55, there is varying Quality in Balanced Outputs, Analog and Digital. The Space-Tech-Lab Balanced Digital/Analog Outputs on my Pioneer best match the same Inputs on my other Space-Tech-Lab Equipment. I am not familiar with the DAC1 Pre, who makes it, and which specialty Audio Store did you buy it at? The Digital Balanced Input on your DAC1 Pre, was made with a particular Balanced Output in mind, probably a Disk Drive made by the same Manufacturer. I would recommend checking with the Store where you bought the DAC1 Pre, they might have a Technician who can install the matching Digital Balanced Output on your Pioneer. It would be a Digital Balanced Output made by the same Maunufacturer as your DAC1 Pre. You could mix and match Balanced Digital Outputs, but it would be a cluster____. Best to minimize the random chaos in Chaos Theory. My suggestion, your choice.

Vineman55, Space-Tech-Lab installed Balanced Digital Output with Balanced Analog Output,(for SACD/DVD-Audio) on my Pioneer. Albert owns his own shop in Vancouver, Canada. Not sure where you live, or how close you may be to Vancouver. This upgrade isn't inexpensive, but many CDP's charge thousands extra for Balanced Outputs. There might be some other source from another Audiogon Member closer to you, that might be able to do it for a little less. Many specialty High End Audio Equipment Retailers, have trained technicians that can do the job. Check with your local Retailers.

Agreed this is good idea...not sure who would do that mod but open to suggestions if anyone here has a good resource it would be appreciated...

Pettyofficer brings up a great idea. I believe the DAC1 Pre has a balanced input, so it might not be a bad idea to have a balanced output installed on your Pioneer as he did. Should be a relatively cheap mod, much cheaper than what you were probably considering for a replacement player.

Thanks for the guidance here, it looks like I will keep it for now and maybe pick up some good headphones and a darkvoice as next add-ons...

Much appreciated...

I think it is a great player for the money. Both of the previous posts make sense to me. Of course, if money is no object.......

I second Ekobesky, I am still using a Pioneer Elite DV-58AV, had a Balanced Digital Output installed, and hooked it up to a Tubed Spacetechlab DAC with associated STL Equipment. Works well with Red Book CD Playback, plus I have SACD/DVD-Audio, plus Downmixes of Multi-Channel SACD/DVD-Audio. The thing was on sale for $275.00. Everything seems to be up in the air, LP, CD, SACD, DVD-Audio, Multi-Channel Versions, Music Servers, Downloading, who knows what the Music Standard is going to be 6 Months from now? Everything seems splintered, in the middle of a Recession, no less. I would have a hard time investing thousands in any Standard, without any guarantee that it will still be there 6 Months from now. I am sure everyone is guarantee-ing their favorite Format; but, because of the Recession, no-one really knows for sure! Untill the smoke clears, keep it simple!

I don't understand why you wouldn't keep it, at least for now. It should make a fine transport. So why not plug the digital out into DAC1 Pre and plug the analog outs into the analog input. This way, you can use the DAC1 as an upgrade to Red Book CD playback, and still enjoy your SACD and DVD-A discs.

I'm running a DV-45A in my office right now. Very similar. I also have some experience with the newer DV-79AVi. They are very decent units, have good transports and respond to commands very quickly. I like them both as players and transports.