Cd player w/ digital input + volume control $2500

I've done a lot of research on all of this now, (but am no closer to an answer!).

I am heavily favoring a pair of Totem Fire speakers at the moment. The Earth speakers would be my preference, but I'm not sure about the cost of those. Anyway, for amplification, I am leaning toward a McIntosh MC275 or something similar. Not sure about a preamp yet.

What I don't like is the edginess of cheaper digital, I wold also prefer less detail in favor of listenability in general. I plan to use the system a lot at times, it will be in a room of the house where it will supply background music for my darkroom, and my darkroom sessions can go on for hours...

Because of this, I have been considering NOS DACs. The upsampling DACs seem to have better detail, but some people find them a bit strident, and edgy. That is exactly not what I want. The new Totem speakers could also be somewhat unforgiving in this respect as well, because the have more of an attack to them that their previous speakers.

All of this has me thinking of something like a MHDT Havana or possibly the Audio GD Reference 7.1 (although that one is really pushing my budget). Maybe the EE unit as well.

I think I am going to abandon idea of a CD player/DAC combo device. I have one I can use into the DAC, and I guess I'd rather not be putting money into that technology anymore.

Bradz, The Opus is one that I have considered. They get rave reviews for sure, and I guess I need to rethink that a bit.

Ngjockey, I've read some good things about the Audiolab gear, so I'll look into it a bit more.

I will econd the Audiolab 820CDQ. It is a terrific sounding unit, has several digital inputs (RCA & Tos), 24/96 USB input, reclocker and variabke outs.

In terms of sonics, it is somehow similar to RA Opus21 GNSC and offers listenability over ultimate resolution. It is a bargain at $1400.

I will econd the Audiolab 820CDQ. It is a terrific sounding unit, has several digital inputs (RCA & Tos), 24/96 USB input, reclocker and variabke outs.

In terms of sonics, it is somehow similar to RA Opus21 GNSC and offers listenability over ultimate resolution. It is a bargain at $1400.

I say rather than agonize just get something cheaper like the Havana just to see how good sub 1k DACs can sound. I would much rather put a bigger chunk of the budget towards amplification. In my experience the amp dollars do more than the DAC dollars. You won't get hurt to bad on trying a used DAC and if you get the Havana you'll prob just end up staying with it anyway or at least you'll find out for yourself that there is not to much difference between it and DACs costing a lot more if you do move up

I decided to purchase a Metrum Octave, as the current exchange rate is a little more favorable.

If I don't like it, I'll sell it, I guess, but by all accounts, it may match what I want/need in a DAC.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Now, on to preamp decisions...

---Michael