Upgrade CD transport/player vs. Sacd transport/player

Dear Audphile1: Seeking to buy the Shanling SACD transport which will send DSD SD to a compatible DAC in a dop file, unless the Dac has 12S, which in that case the file will be native DSD. Will purchase the Meitner MA3i, dac with network card to receive dop files from the Shanling. Have been advised that dop files are not native SDS, the dop file is wrapped in a PCM envelope, but what you get when envelope opened, when it reaches the dac it is in DSD 64. My other option is $10,000 on a SACD player. Not viable to me, as the large amount of money I wish to spend on the DAC is the Meitner MA3i which will accept the Shanling DOP file and then I would have SACD sound. If I have misconstrued anything above, would appreciate as a correction as I would prefer not to make a few thousand dollar mistake.  Thank you again for all your guidance.

I had the MCT500 via din to the DA2 of my C2800. It was crisp, clean, detailed, and  helped to create a very satisfying soundstage.  And yes, SACD consistently sounded better than 44.1kz, streaming or redbook CD.

Because my standalone DAC is a Denafrips Pontus II 15th, I was very curious about the Onix transport DSD output via IIS. So, snagged one and gave it a try. Turns out I LOVE it - I think DSD through the R2R DAC produces the most analog sound with all the detail and soundstage I was getting with the DA2. 

I sold my MCT500 (reluctantly) and now enjoy the freedom of the Onix IIS out. I’d recommend the $2400 Onix with a proven matched DAC (eg Denafrips) as a safe foray into SACD. I agree that steaming can easily be your every day, primary source. But physical media is still very enjoyable and satisfying - not dead yet! 

@kjl1065 with Meitner you will use its network for streaming and AES for Shanling. 
Don’t obsess too much about native DSD vs DoP. It will sound excellent regardless. 
 

There is nothing wrong with liking physical media for nostalgic reasons. But it is becoming more like analog watches and will continue to move that direction. 

It’s not about nostalgia. Does it perform better than a high end streaming setup? To me - no. Does it sound different enough to enjoy? Well may be in some cases, very rarely. So it’s not worth the expense in my opinion.

@kjl1065 I highly recommend Roon Nucleus One if you’re getting a Meitner. You can use Mcontrol app to stream qobuz or tidal to Meitner but Roon interface is in a league of its own.