Thoughts on using the DAC in my oppo 205 with a CD Transport.

You are using the dac inside the Oppo when you’re playing cds. It wouldn’t make a difference or at least wouldn’t give you what you’re looking for sonically if you use audiolab or any other transport to feed the Oppo. You need an external good quality DAC and feed it using Oppo as a transport. That’s a quicker and surer way to get to where you want to be. 

In an opposition to your scenario. I have an Oppo 105 that I use as a transport with a Chord Hugo TT II as the DAC and have had very good results. The Hugo definitely outperforms the Oppo DAC. But in reality I seldom play CDs anymore with most of my library available on Qobuz

As "audiophile1" eluded to, it's all about the DAC!!!  If I were you, I would definitely explore the vast and wonderful world of external DACs for the absolute best digital sound.  A few years ago, I invested heavily in acquiring a top-notch external streaming DAC for streaming Qobuz via Roon, and in over 30 years in the hobby, I've never been happier.  Also, I would toss the Oppo altogether and use something else of an even higher quality as a transport (as you mentioned) to mate with the upgraded external DAC.  "Now you're talkin!!!"  Happy listening.       

I agree with audphile1, and at a later date when finances are there upgrade to a better transport. I was in your exact position years ago and found that a dedicated Dac and transport there was a big improvement.

I tend to think it’s the DAC, as the above posters have said.  I use my Oppo 105 as a disc transport into my Bryston DAC3.

  However…transports matter…and it would be interesting to hear what happens when a dedicated CD transport is used.  I suspect it will improve things.  

Well, it seems my thinking has been flawed. I'm happy I decided to post about this, as I probably would have decided to try the CDT route.

So now having to shift gears, can you guys offer me thoughts on DAC's (would like to stay under $1500) and not opposed to buying used. The Gustard A26 sounds like a possibility, it has a nice assortment of inputs (I do want optical, coaxial, and USB) to keep most future options available.

I also saw the  BorderPatrol SE-i DAC looks nice; I like the fact it's made in the USA. But basically priced a bit high for me, also no optical input option.

Open to suggestions.

Chord Qutest, Benchmark DAC 3, Bryston BDA-3 (closer to $2k) 

Chord and Bryston are more musical than benchmark  

There are others but I listed what I had experience with  

It's the DAC in your Oppo that's holding things back, not the transport.  I use my Oppo as a transport, sending the HDMI out signal to a much better DAC.  It sounds like you've figured out that is the route to take.  

With those beryllium tweeters, you might want to look at R2R or FPGA DACs.  Sorry, I don't have a specific recommendation, my last DAC in that price range was the MHDT Labs Orchid, which is very good, but probably a little outdated compared to some of the newer offerings.

I used to have a Gungnir multibit and it was quite good. They have recently updated this unit to v2. This checks most of your boxes, and is made in the U.S.

https://www.schiit.com/products/gungnir-2

MSB, which is no slouch of a company, used to base their universal disc transports around the Oppo 103; they kept the loading tray and transport mechanism but took out the Oppo DAC and changed everything else, including a separate matched power supply. So yes, you'd likely want to keep the Oppo as a transport and upgrade yer DAC. 

I never particularly liked various Oppo as either CD player or transport, loved them for DVD...

it would be interesting to try. i'm not that familiar with the 205, but the 105 and esp. the 95 have good internal dacs + imo transports definitely and audibly affect the sound--whether a separate audiolab transport sounds better to you is an open question, but it will sound different. report back if you do go that route.

Does Oppo output DSD via coax out? In other words can it be used as SACD transport?

The Oppo outputs DSD through HDMI. A GeerFab Audio D.BOB can legally extract the DSD and then output it though Coax/Optical to an external DAC than can accept DSD via the DoP protocol over Coax/Optical.

gakman OP    So now having to shift gears, can you guys offer me thoughts on DAC’s (would like to stay under $1500) 

Skip the DAC if you want the best transparent musical sound.  Check this Agon ad.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbedbj-wavetouch-audio-wt-95-world-s-best-sound-sacd-cd-flac-player-streamer-cd-sacd-players

Add PS Audio DSD DAC to your list. I forgot I had it and liked it. Well under $1500 at this point. 

I had an OPPO 103d.  It was a decent player.  I used it over the years with several DACs and while it sounded better through them it wasn't until I replaced the 103 with a dedicated transport that I realized it was just pretty good and not great. 

I'd start with a different DAC and eventually something like the Audiolab to spin discs.

While the Oppo 103 was sort of revolutionary at its price point in features and sound quality, DACS sound quality has progressed over the years.  I agree with the others to retire the Oppo.  Replace it with either a preowned Wyred4Sound 10th Anniversary, Bryston BDA3, Denefrips Pontus Venus, Cord Qutest, or Benchmark DAC3.  The first  4 will focus more on musicality.  The latter two will focus more on clarity.   Based on your post, it seems like you are focused and improving musicality as opposed to clarity.  There is no right or wrong, it’s personal preference.  Each has its own sound pallet. Research reviews and  try to  audition before purchase.  Also, burn your CDs and purchase a streamer/server in your budget.  You will realize further SQ improvements.  

I am using an NAD 568 CD Player as a transport with my Schiit Audio Gungnir 2 DAC, and the sound reproduction compared to using the DAC internal to the NAD 568 is significantly improved in terms of tonal quality and three-dimensionality.  I could not go back to the internal DAC on the NAD, the improvement is that marked.

@ericgeer thanks!

I would look for a used Schiit Yggdrasil. I have a Gungnir and helped a friend get a Yggdrasil. The Yggy is better Good sounding for the money. 

Double check that you are using the stereo outputs (the part with XLR and RCA right next to each other) instead of the multi-channel RCA outputs on the other side of the machine. I made that mistake once and the multi-channel outs don't sound as good. I guess they use separate DACs and the stereo out part is better. 

DAC Comparison. Vermeer2 ($20k). Denafrips Ares ($2k), COS D1V2 ($3k), MSB Analog DAC ($5k), APL HiFi DSD MR ($13k)

https://youtu.be/8SyfQnE1ghc?si=n9ZPVt0axZQ7a7rk

To my ears, APL sounds bit clearer than others. But APL sounds still veiled and bright. And I can’t bare to listen any above DAC for 1 minute. Their sounds just hurt my ears. Simply, separate DACs can’t sound clean.

Some say YT sound comparison video isn’t true. Really? Then why Mike's voices are clean/clear while DACs' sounds are unlistenable. Microphone can’t lie.

Also, listen my voice and WT-95 sound below. If APL is $13k, how much is WT-95? Regardless of price, WT-95 is a forever masterpiece.  Alex/Wavetouch audio

https://youtu.be/8Yo8eDuBDY0?si=6xp1CMOjKDN4jIFo

@gakman 

When a CD sounds bad, does it sound bad the next day? How does it sound?  The reason I ask is maybe it is the transport in your 205. But, the DAC in the OPPO is getting long in the tooth.  I have the CDT 6000 and can only imagine the 7000 would be better, but be prepared to get a separate DAC. 

All the best.

@mihorn - I've got an MSB Analog DAC that I got used about 10 or so years ago. It was discontinued long ago, but when it was new, it was way more than $5000 with the matching MSB power supply, which you would definitely want to get with this. 

@big_greg 

It's the DAC in your Oppo that's holding things back, not the transport.

This is SO true. While the DAC inside the Oppo is pretty good - it simply does not compare to great stand alone DACs. This is based on 7 years of experience, using the Oppo UPD-205.

I'll second the recommendation of a Denafrips R2R type DAC.  I have both the Ares II and the Venus 15.  At your price range you could do very well with a used Pontus II or 12.  Many consider this the sweet spot in the Denafrips range.  

My Venus 15 matches vinyl, especially playing a hi-res source, and makes CD much more analogue-like.  The Ares II is similar, but with less bass impact and a bit more grain.  I haven't actually heard a Pontus.

I also second the recommendation of the GeerFab D.BOB if you want to play SACDs and get DSD into your DAC.

Another vote for Denafrips R2R DACS. I have a Pontus II and it has performed flawlessly and sounds excellent. You can definitely find one used within your price range or buy the latest Pontus 15 if you can stretch your budget. The Pontus 15 is equivalent to the Venus 12 which is the next model up from the previous generation.

They both make a difference. You need to be careful when asking for opinions like this. Most people get their listening experience by reading spec sheets and reviews. Or they just guess because they think they know better. For example, someone that strongly recommends a dac instead of a transport may think a transport can't make a difference. And if it does, something is broken. Most of the time, people with views like this have absolutely no experience with anything they're talking about. They just think they know. Upgrading your audio system is a hands on process. If you let other people make the decision for you, don't expect to be happy.   

If you decide to go with separates, you still have to match the transport to the dac, just like you would an amp and preamp. If you're mixing brands, I would want to listen to both pieces together. For just listening to CD's, I would buy a Redbook only player. Its a cleaner solution. One box, and you know everything is going to work well together. With a multiformat player like your Oppo, it has to start up and load its operating system. The functions usually work a lot slower. A CD player is just nicer to use. Just to be clear, I'm not saying you can't get great sound from separates. You can. I'm just giving you my preference.

There's one product that comes to mind that you may want to look at. Rotel makes what they call a transport with a dac. Yes, its another way of saying its a CD player. Most CD players just have a digital out, but not much thought was given to using it as a transport. If you get the Audiolab transport, you should notice a respectable difference over your Oppo's transport. I would expect to get the same level of transport upgrade with the Rotel. However, you may be perfectly happy with the dac in the Rotel, as well. Rotel digital products have always been very hard to beat for the money. I don't think its that much more than the Audiolab. If you then decide to upgrade your dac later, you have a CD player that was designed to be used as a transport only.    

larsman

@mihorn - I've got an MSB Analog DAC ~~ when it was new, it was way more than $5000 with the matching MSB power supply, which you would definitely want to get with this. 

I don't  understand what you mean. I was saying all separate DACs sound veiled and distorted and the proof is the video in my last post.  Alex/Wavetouch