Hello, my system is all but complete except for one major weakness, my source. I have nice brand new rotel separates (1080/1070) and b and w speakers. However, my source is a marantz 3002 dvd player. I heard the marantz 5001 and it sounded much much better in my system when I demo'd it. Therefore I know a good source will truly help my system. I planneed on purchasing the marantz 5001 for 300. Everyone seems to agree the marantz is the best budget player or atleast among the best. But, I wonder if I was to use an external DAC and my dvd as a transport could I achieve better sound for the same price. My question is, if I spent 300 on an external DAC would it out perform the marantz 5001 in using my dvd as a transport. It makes perfect sense that I could achieve better sound for the same price because after all the marantz for 300 includes the DAC among other parts which leads me to believe a DAC for the same price would be better because the marantz DAC must be of lesser quality to meet the 300 dollar price point. Considering the other parts and devices that must going into building the whole player.