I also have an older cd player as well as a great transport in the Sony X77es. I am not using an outboard dac as of yet and the sony seems to sound just fine as a stand alone player. You might not get every little minute detail out of a recording because the dac may be a little dated, but you will get close without refinancing your house for that super duper dac. I can say this about the x77es. When I try to sell it, I get a lot more responses for this player than any of the newer models that I have had. Being that it weighs 40lbs, I think audiophiles know that some of the older equipment was built to stand the test of time. I think the only drawback is putting the newer 24/96 dacs with the older players. I guess you won't hear the full potential of the dac if it does'nt have the newer output of some current designs. The sony retailed for 1700.00 dollars in 1990. I saw a 77es for sale at audio outlet and they were asking 895.00 for it. You can't find that kind of a return on year old equipment now a days. The sony, as well as a few of the older players ,can still hold their own cosmetically and sonically today as they did 10 years ago.
