Please help me figure out what I need to do this. My head spins with tech talk..

The streaming transport is still a VITAL part of the streaming chain and not addressing that aspect is a surefire way to get bad sound.  You also can't simply get a NAS and DAC and have sound - you NEED that streamer.  Some DAC's are Roon endpoints but then they are more streaming devices with built-in DAC's.  Either way, both a streamer and a cd transport qualify as transports.  

While I agree that a CD transport has the potential to create issues, you still have the price points to contend with.  By the time you can actually achieve the sound quality that AMR CD-77 puts out, you'll easily surpass that seller's used price and probably be closer to the retail price.  I know my streaming 'package' is above five figures once you factor in my networked music, and I don't consider that to be really high end either.

I will also admit that my fears have been that the software used might have a lot of bad influence on streaming devices.  My point here is that theory vs. reality often produce different results and I've learned never to hold onto either one of them too hard.  In each case there can be factors completely missed that change expectations tremendously.  This is why I presented my experiences as such and have support from others whose ears I trust.  I believe the theory that a file should be superior than a CD track, but for some reason that theory doesn't line up with my reality yet. 

Reality beat theory when I showed at RMAF.  I ended up having to use a CD transport 90% of the time because of the sonic differences, all other things being equal.  The streamer and Cd transport were of similar build quality from the same company using the same cabling.  I even paid about $300 extra for ancillary items/installation to ensure my streamer worked in the room and I begrudgingly had to all but give it up.  This was not an isolated event either.


I am not here to ruffle feathers and would appreciate not being insinuated as a bold faced liar.  My intent in this thread is to share my experiences and help the OP find a solution that fits HER needs and desires first and foremost.  She has been provided a lot of food for thought and I hope she settles on what provides the best experience for her.

With sincerity,

Skip

Well after the audio shop's technician located a transport for my B.A,T and installed..it still cut out so there was more than the transport gone bad..and Balanced audio confirmed because  this was a very early unit,any other parts would be  wild goose chase.R.I.P. my dear B.A.T.Meanwhile, this dealer gave me a loaner- A Primare CD22.  For nearly 12 years The B.A.T. was the sound I knew..tube/lush soft, no hard edges..maybe unnaturally rounded? but I preferred that over the edge I heard from some other CDP's I listened to way back then. The sound was ingrained into my brain and that makes for a challenge to not hear "different" as "wrong".So listening to this was not likely to consider it as my next purchase, it was mostly so I wouldn't be without music. I'm having a grand time testing out my reference Cd's...and to my surprise I have found a few things..A different sound for sure...I actually find it refreshingly clear on my solo piano & female vocals...very similar to the tube sound in tone but  kind of like menthol ...pleasing and realistic...The soundstage is a bit more narrow but for these types it is a minor thing..The litmus test will be tomorrow when I try my symphonic /orchestral pieces that I demand what I had before...deep & wide soundstage,   accurate placement of instruments and most importantlyrealistic reproduction of each instrument...a screechy violin in the mix and bye bye forever.As I said I wasn't thinking Primare, but this cd22 sounds pretty damn good so far..
Let's say orchestral sounds divine...and I can assume the newer generation, cd35, (with or without DAC), sounds even better..Here's my question...:Primare and all CDP's, if everything is so geared towards digital, do you think the stand alone CD part of the equation is as advanced ? Or is all the good stuff in the DAC?
I hope someone understands what I'm asking! :)

@abstract The yearly "advances" in DACs often involve more specmanship than real electronics.  For daily driving, how much better is a 2019 car over the same 2018 model?  Before purchasing the Bryston BCD-3, I eliminated the Hegel Mohican, leaving that new model of Primare as the chief competitor.  If you have more CDs than you know what to do with, are committed to Red Book, there are distinct advantages to "integrated" players.  The transport and the DAC both make a difference, as do their implementation.  Googling you can find specs on both the Bryston and the Primare, who used different manufacturers for transports (both good) and for chips in the DACs (both good).  Finally, both makers will have implemented them differently.  Supposedly, different chips have different sonic characteristics, but it ends up being much more complicated than that.

twoleftyears...Ah yes...I see....I guess I was not wondering if the improvement was huge from model to model as much as if the present new models are improved more for their symbionic relationship to their companion Dac or in their own right.
As much as I know a tube CDP would most likely be my sonic bliss (and that AMR is calling me) I am now fearing buying used of that age...
(the BAT feels like a death in my family)...I am pleasantly surprised with my listening experience of this loaner Primare cd22...The sonics are wonderful..I have thrown everything at it today... solo piano is clean and warm, acoustic guitar is lifelike, female vocals are rich. Orchestral:I was worried about the violins..I always worry about the violins....but yes! They sounded mighty fine...phew! and basically the small orchestral pieces all had a very inviting timbre..and sounded like the instruments they ae (the only exception was the 2 taps of a triangle at the end of Appalachian Spring..I used to get goosebumps from that..could 2 triangle taps be my dealbreaker?)Large orchestral was tonally very pleasing  ...slightly anaemic and slightly less grandiose than my BAT).  Twoleftears: Did you listen to the CD35?