Will, one thing I'll add is this: The differences from good digital gear are quite small. I can't stress this enough after listening to many CD players and DACs in other systems. A/B comparisons gave clear differences but to say they were anything but small would be silly. As much as I like the Rega and Cambridge I'm shocked at how close a slightly modded Oppo (under 300 dollars) was to the more expensive gear. The fellow who brought the 840c over relies mainly on his Rega TT, but the DAC he uses is the Audio Research DAC8. He finds the 840c VERY close to his Mac mini/Dac8 combo.
We both agreed that a better DAC eases that digital flatness adding depth and weight to recordings. Unlike speakers or preamps/amps, the tonal aspect is level and detail is VERY close. The major differences appear to be in the overall soundstage/image factor, which is a moving target with so many different recordings. When improved the recording's weight is more lifelike. Honestly, I know that the terms I'm using are probably confusing, but it's a pretty hard thing to define. Listening to Eric Clapton live this morning I switched from the Oppo to the Oppo/Rega. The important change was that I could now hear the space and reverb as if it were in front of me. The speakers vanished even more than before. BUT...again, this overall upgrade is more like going from good to better cables. Is it worth it? I'd say yes.
Rob
We both agreed that a better DAC eases that digital flatness adding depth and weight to recordings. Unlike speakers or preamps/amps, the tonal aspect is level and detail is VERY close. The major differences appear to be in the overall soundstage/image factor, which is a moving target with so many different recordings. When improved the recording's weight is more lifelike. Honestly, I know that the terms I'm using are probably confusing, but it's a pretty hard thing to define. Listening to Eric Clapton live this morning I switched from the Oppo to the Oppo/Rega. The important change was that I could now hear the space and reverb as if it were in front of me. The speakers vanished even more than before. BUT...again, this overall upgrade is more like going from good to better cables. Is it worth it? I'd say yes.
Rob