I've heard the 'cheaper' combo with the Model 192 DAC. I'm not too fond about the transport though - my former PS Audio Lamba 2 SE sounded better with the 192 DAC, so I kept that combo. Since the PS Audio died I had to replace it, and still the Northstar transport didn't cut it. I have now bought a (totally revised) Alchemy Audio transport which allows me to take full advantage of the I2S connection. It's not that the differences are very big, just a sens of being more 'musical'. Off course that's to my ears in my system, so in your case the combo might be the best choice.
Have You Heard the Northstar CD Combo?
WOW! I just bought a Northstar Transport and the Extremo DAC. I can't believe how good this sounds. It blows away my Sony scd-1 in stock mode, and even betters it with the mods that I had in the Sony. I never thought I could get this excited about a piece of digital equipment. I also love the size. Very small compared the the scd-1 beast. That thing almost broke my back! It is still not the equal of my analog system, but I can go from listening to LP's to CD's and not feel the need shut the digital off and fire up the TT right away.