What is the best matching DAC for Sony SCD-1 ?

The Kora Hermes tube Dac will give you great sound with this unit and at a great price. I own one.

I tried it with the Digital input to my Wadia 850 with superior results.

Muse Model 296 or the new one ninety-two are unbelievably good sounding DACs.

I always find it interesting when I hear of people mating DACs to the SCD-1 and XA777ES, having hearing the sound of both units, and having both being quite highly rated.

For the people that have responded, do you feel that the above DACs mentioned truly take it to another level, or was it simply that you had an SCD-1, knew it was a good transport, and found a DAC down the road that's 'character' was more to your liking?

Also, for anyone out there that can answer this, and for the sake of argument, let's say voiding manufacturer's warranty is not an issue -- would it be sonically beneficial to simply modify the heck out of the SCD-1 rather than dealing with SPDIF and an external DAC?

The SCD-1 is a superb transport, better than many pricey separate transports--it certainly beat my previous transport, a Levinson 37, by a mile. Playing CDs from its digital out to a dCS Purcell-Elgar combo, which I had prior to getting the Sony, easily beats the Sony's own CD playback (it better at those prices!). But you're missing a key point when asking if people are using it with a separate DAC simply because the SCD-1 is a great transport--it's also a fine SACD player, and you practically get that for nothing. Can't answer your questions as to mods, but I'm presently auditioning a used Classe Omega SACD player, built on the same Sony transport as the SCD-1, and it is a noticeable improvement in most key respects over the SCD-1. Even though Classe is a major manufacturer, and obviously redesigned the hell out of the entire unit, it does prove that you can take the SCD-1 and get a lot more out of it. As to what, and how much, and from which modifier, I can't help you, but good luck. The SCD-1's out there are great acquisitions.