Please Recommend Transport + DAC for $5K total


My current Jolida cdp is growing pretty long in the tooth. I could just replace it with another cdp, but it seems more prudent to go with separate transport and DAC, at this point. Would prefer gear made in N. America. Total expenditure not to exceed 5K. I'm considering Sim Audio Moon 260CD or Bryston BDP-3 as a transport. The thing is, I prefer the option of demoing at home and I haven't (so far) found any vendors offering that option with the Sim Audio piece. As for a DAC, same thing: it has to be something I can try out at home, like a Schiit Yggy or Benchmark DAC2HGC. Can anyone suggest other possibilities, given these parameters? My system: Wells Audio Majestic Integrated, Silverline 17.5 monitors, JD100 cdp. Speaker wire: Audio Art SE. Power cables: Audio Art Statement. IC's: Audioquest Cheetah.  Thanks! 
stuartk

Showing 2 responses by rhljazz

An old top line Sony ES player (the ones that weigh 40 lbs), a Chord Hugo, and a Tara RSC digital cable.  You should get by for around 2 grand.  Then you've got 3 grand left for other stuff. 
Sony x77es manufactued around 1992 still going strong.  It is used daily as a transport.  The Sony was built at a time when quality really mattered.  
So for something newer as a transport, the Cambridge CXC has received positive recognition in the U.K. Press.  The Chord Hugo and now the Hugo 2 is the go to Dac in most equipment evaluation.  The Cyrus transport is also a favorite.