I can, in part, answer your question. I currently own a DCC2 and meitnerized phillips, I plan on ordering the CDSD next month. In the mean time my phillips(I know your not going to believe this) crapped out on me, so I am using a $149 DVD player as a transport until I can bring myself to cough up the scratch for the new transport(which everyone agrees- already- is a large leap in performance over the modified phillips). Well in listening to my system with the generic DVD player as a transport and a very low quality digital coax cable(strictly for temporary use) I am shocked at how good it really is. I would not say i am getting 90% of the performance, however I am getting first rate digital playback that is very enjoyable. I was talking with a friend last evening and even as it is now, I feel this combo out performs my old audio aero capitole mkII, he didn't believe it was possible!
I did notice a loss in detail and resolution, soundstage is not as detailed or large, back ground is not near as black and dynamics are more typical of "normal" digital reproduction. And of course I can not listen to SACD's. If you were to sell your cary and BAT, it would aid with the purchase of the full Emm labs combo, which is clearly superior then using a standard transport- my findings mimic others who have tried SOTA transports.
All of this being said if I did not want to purchase the transport as well as the dac, I think you could find a digital source you could enjoy for the same or less money; if you plan on upgradeing(to the Emm labs transport) down the road- get the DCC2 and enjoy the tunes.
I did notice a loss in detail and resolution, soundstage is not as detailed or large, back ground is not near as black and dynamics are more typical of "normal" digital reproduction. And of course I can not listen to SACD's. If you were to sell your cary and BAT, it would aid with the purchase of the full Emm labs combo, which is clearly superior then using a standard transport- my findings mimic others who have tried SOTA transports.
All of this being said if I did not want to purchase the transport as well as the dac, I think you could find a digital source you could enjoy for the same or less money; if you plan on upgradeing(to the Emm labs transport) down the road- get the DCC2 and enjoy the tunes.