I've briefly heard Marbles' earlier EA Offramp P3a i2s setup and it is (in a good way) not like what you're used to hearing from digital at all. I wouldn't say it's really analog like either (again in a good way). It just doesn't seem to be making all the usual compromises we associate with either one and brings a sweet wholeness that's entirely different.
I simultaneously owned a full blown Modwright/Sony 999ES Platinum Signature Truth at the same time as a stock standard Wadia 861. I have since upgraded the Wadia to the SE transport status and had Steve Huntley at GNSC do his magic with the Statement Mod, so it is at the max of what can be done other than power cord and an isolation platform.
For the money, the high end Modwright (there are other Sony's and Denons), with the right power cords and tubes, is one of the easiest and enjoyable to listen to one box digital pieces I've heard. It is very smooth and sweet sounding, though lacking maybe the very last essence of detail and refinement in terms of imaging. For some, this doesn't really contribute a lot to the music itself, though it's a matter of preference. It has terrific well defined and fast low bass, which kind of confounded me given there isn't any mechanical dampening work done to it at all. The GNSC mod on the other has all manner of coatings and damping materials applied inside. Choosing between the Modwright and stock Wadia, I'd probably prefer the Modwright in the long run. It is definitely a matter of personal preference since some might like the more detailed and analytical view of the Wadia. The Wadia does this in a way that unlike some high end cdp's, shows you all that, while still being very true to the music in terms of prat and fundamentals.
The 861SE GNSC on the other hand is a different breed of cat. The portrayal of image height and depth gets much larger. You wouldn't even miss it if you didn't know it was there, but once you get a taste for it, it's hard to go back. It now has the listenability and smoothness of the Modwright while also revealing a lot of information buried in the RB CD I couldn't believe was there. Again, you may or may not see this is contributing to the music. In that comparo, assuming money were no object, it's no contest. The SE GNSC is significantly better, but at a huge price. The good news is you can get there in steps. I sold the Modwright to another happy camper who is thrilled with it (he owns >10,000 lp's). He is "new" to cd's, er, he finally caved after many years of lp bliss because he couldn't get the music he wanted.
With all that said, I am quite convinced that for the same or less money you can get a more satifying result from the PC>Offramp I2S>pick your DAC approach. I'm trying to figure out how I can get there myself without spending a boatload more money. If I had it to do over (you do), I'd look real hard at that direction before coughing up several grand for a new or heavy mod cdp.
Best of luck in the journey!
