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

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.