Transport opinions

Reubent, I'm thinking the same in my mind.  I have a practically new CD-5000, which uses a Philips transport, and while not the pro version transport that's in the ARC spinners, it might just be the next best thing.  Thee Marantz will be first on the list to try

Connected the DIP 24/96 inline between the 5400es and dac. ITS DEFINITELY STAYING.  That little box is wonderful. 

Upon installation, I only had one better cables silver serpent and one monster datalink 100.  It sounded excellet without warm rich, yet detailed sound. 

Tonight I tried the Marantz CD 5000 against the Sony SCD5400ES.   I could not believe how the sound took a nose dive.  Closed in, bright and forward. 

I think the the combination of many things made this little player outclassed.

by comparison to the Sony, -toy construction, featherweight, captive garbage power cord,  etc.   it did have a nice silent transport.  I do recall it having a very nice sound out of the analogue outputs years ago, but I guess my system has outgrown it.

I could not bear to listen to the marantz.  I put it to the side to warm up for a couple of days on repeat as it hasn't been used in years to satisfy a friends advice.  I'm not expecting miracles though.  Sometimes you just know.....

After putting the Sony back into the system, I also found a forgotten second silver serpent in to use on the output of the DIP 24/96, getting rid of the monster data link. To my horror the monster sounded better.  How could this be? I think because the new found old silver serpent hasn't been used in years and the monster was settled for days, the second silver serpent needs some settling and reacclimating.  Yes, I know I could have given the same respect to the marantz, but, I just didn't feel it had enough going for it to even consider it.  I look forward to hearing the second silver serpent settle in.  Right now it's not as detailed as the monster. ....... I can't believe I just said that. 

Auxinput, 

Thanks for for your thoughtful reply.   You pretty much hit the nail on the head on all counts. Thank you for saving me the time with the pioneer.  The 5400, I believe will be the best transport I have to work with. It is the best built, with the most audiophile aspirations of the units at my diposal.

Upon further listening, going back and forth between the monster and silver serpent on the output of the DIP, I noticed something more interesting.  While the sound of the monster is sweeter, the sound is noticeably less dynamic, and transients aren't nearly as well deliniated. 

I have ordered some items for my dac that I feel should improve it considerably, as they have responded EXTREMELY well to my other ARC gear. A synergistic research black UEF 12 gauge power cable to replace the stock power cable and the matching UEF black fuse.
Im a big fan of synergistic cables and tweaks.  

As far as  the digital cable, I also got a sweet deal on a brand new DH labs D-750 1.5m  with a BNC connection on one end so I can utilize the BNC input on the DAC 8. Deal too good to pass up... maybe I will try the Belden too, due to it being so inexpensive.

 I'm hoping for the best of both worlds with the dh labs.  Its said to be a nice warm sounding cable. I can't believe I'm actually saying that digital cables sound different. But they do. It's pretty obvious.  My system has gotten to the level that I can hear the differences easily.  The toslink out on the Sony is nowhere is warm and lush sounding as the coax.  It's cold and lifeless. 

Even the platform of which the DIP 24/96 sits on makes a difference in transparency.  When directly on a space on my glass shelf on my rack , ( yes I'm hoping to get a better rack soon) the sound is noticeably worse than when I put it even on a 1/2 inch wood cutting board directly on the carpet. When I put it on the wooden board, a whole new level of clarity and soundstage size comes through.  It's not subtle. I will also be getting a thick maple platform for the dac to reside on, while on the shelf. I may even consider upgrading the power cable on the DIP as well!