I second Griffithds's recommendation: Benchmark DAC1. If you're patient, you can find one second-hand for $600. If you don't like it, you can sell it on without a problem. It's a fantastic piece of equipment.
Upgrade my CD player or buy a DAC?
I cannot decide wether I would be better off buying a dedicated CD player or a DAC and use my current player as a Transport. I am currently using a Yamaha BD-S2900 as my CD/DVD player. I use my system almost exclusively for 2-channel audio, mostly Folk, Rock, and Jazz. My current setup:
Vandersteen 2CE Sigs
McCormack RLD-1 Preamp
Sunfire 5x200 running Biamp
Yamaha BDS-2900
Apple G5 for digital music
Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
Audioquest Type-8 Speaker Wire
I have a budget of up to $600, let me know if you have any advice.
Vandersteen 2CE Sigs
McCormack RLD-1 Preamp
Sunfire 5x200 running Biamp
Yamaha BDS-2900
Apple G5 for digital music
Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
Audioquest Type-8 Speaker Wire
I have a budget of up to $600, let me know if you have any advice.