I am looking for a smoothest sounding outboard DAC

I JUST GOT A CHORD DAC 64 AND IT BLOWS AWAY MY KORA HERMES and that is saying something.

Ljgj--

Just out of curiosity, what transport are you using with the DAC64? I use a CEC TL1X primarily, but I also have a Burmester 001 and have occasionally used its digital out
into the Chord.

Just to dip a toe into the SACD water, I recently bought a Sony SCD-CE 775 (closeout sale at Electronic Express for $180! Couldn't pass it up.) I know the Sony isn't s.o.t.a.
but my hybrid SACD/CDs sound pretty good on it. I've gotta say, however, the CD layer through the CEC/Chord still has quite an edge on the SACD layer through the Sony. At least I know now that with the present meager selection of classical SACDs, it's not worth spending more on better SACD hardware.
That may change, maybe not...
jp

I use the Electrocompaniet Cd player as my main transport. I also use a Pioneer megachanger and a Mcintosh 7008 6 disc changer through a GW Labs jitter device to the Chord for various purposes. I also have a Shanling tube player and a Sony SACD 333 5 disc changer but do not use them through the Chord. The Chord is so smooth. I like the full buffer setting but vary it to the other settings from time to time.

I'd go with an Ayre CX-7 CDP before I would go with ANY transport/DAC combo.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rdgtl&1037849911&openusid&zzTok20000&4&5#Tok20000

See my review of the Ayre against two Dodson DACs.

KF

Thank you for the inputs, big help!
Keep it comming.