Zanden transport and DAC or PC audio system

Emigene,
I have the same digital front end as you have and it is indeed wonderful. It easily bettered the dcs stack in redbook performance. I then bought Steve Nugents's (Empirical Audio) SPOILER USB dac with his PACECAR clock inside, which is synchronised with my laptop. On my big Sound Labs it easily beat the Zanden Combo in several parameters, throwing a much better sound stage both in width and depth. All in all, to my ears, the Spoiler affords the best rendition of Redbook CDs, ripped to my computer, I have heard so far and at much less cost.

Emigene,
Exactly! I have just had occasion to listen to a ReQuest Server on my system and again evidence seems to point in the direction of a good digital PC front.

( on the other hand though, as an afterthought, last night I listend to a Brazilian pressed LP of the great Milton Nascimento through the analog side of my system (Goldmund Ref and arm, both modified, Clearaudio, Wavac Phono and later switched to the Zanden and afterwards the Spoiler. The difference was so shocking, that I stopped listening and broke off the session. I had not listened to vinyl for a while.... Next time around I'll start with digital and end up with vinyl, never the other way around again )

KLFK,
Yes it was the latest Zanden combo. As to what the weak spot here might be, I really don't have the expertise to answer. But I can tell you this: I've tried the modest TRENDS USB converter with the Model 5000 Signature DAC and it sounded excellent, with very good resolution, timbre and pitch. The Spoiler sounded "richer" in comparison, voices , strings, were more natural and had more presence and body. Playing the same music from the transport directly was a tad more resolving with slightly better dynamic swings, but not very much. From that experience one could infer that the Model 2000 is the culprit but I would never dare to cast that in stone and I have not followed up that experiment in depth.
About the Pacecar Model 5000 combination have you already discussed that with Steve? I am afraid I cannot help you on this one either. But if you want to get one anyway, I suppose you could experiment and see or rather hear.....
Best saisonal greetings and happy listening,
Detlof

HI KLFK,
No I didn't I'm afraid. Should have though, but I didn't feel like experimenting: Too lazy and happy with my rig, preferred to listen to music. (: