Since a CD player is a transport/DAC combo, another option is to go the separate route.
Given the propensity for electronics to fail, particularly those with moving parts, going the separate route would allow you to invest minimally in a transport and more significantly in a DAC. I've owned CD and/or DVD players by Rotel, NAD, and Oppo. At least one unit of each of the brands has failed and required service.
I have spent countless hours reading the forums trying to understand how digital works...best. I still get confused but I have learned a few things. Whether you purchase a CD player or a DAC, the application of the digital conversion is important with respect to sound quality. IMO, the bits in the DAC are not as important as having a dual mono DAC. (The 975 and 565bee are both dual mono.) I'm also not a big fan of all the upsampling and upconverting that goes on; some is inevitable, but I think some manufacturers go too far. Others are big fans of it. Ultimately, it is the sound (not the bits and Hz) that matter though so this is often a matter of personal preference. The analog section is important too; while I've not heard the Oppo 105, Oppo addressed the audiophile community by incorporating a good analog section. And finally, jitter or noise. Some players/DACs don't do a good job at eliminating jitter. Some DACs incorporate reclockers, others work best in combination with an external reclocker.
I tend to agree with Schubert, improving your sound quality by addressing the source will likely require a $2-3K investment. The Rotel 1072 appears to be a CD player I would like; dual DACs, lower oversampling, low noise, and two have already recommended it. I'm just not sure how much of an improvement it will be over your 975.
Given the propensity for electronics to fail, particularly those with moving parts, going the separate route would allow you to invest minimally in a transport and more significantly in a DAC. I've owned CD and/or DVD players by Rotel, NAD, and Oppo. At least one unit of each of the brands has failed and required service.
I have spent countless hours reading the forums trying to understand how digital works...best. I still get confused but I have learned a few things. Whether you purchase a CD player or a DAC, the application of the digital conversion is important with respect to sound quality. IMO, the bits in the DAC are not as important as having a dual mono DAC. (The 975 and 565bee are both dual mono.) I'm also not a big fan of all the upsampling and upconverting that goes on; some is inevitable, but I think some manufacturers go too far. Others are big fans of it. Ultimately, it is the sound (not the bits and Hz) that matter though so this is often a matter of personal preference. The analog section is important too; while I've not heard the Oppo 105, Oppo addressed the audiophile community by incorporating a good analog section. And finally, jitter or noise. Some players/DACs don't do a good job at eliminating jitter. Some DACs incorporate reclockers, others work best in combination with an external reclocker.
I tend to agree with Schubert, improving your sound quality by addressing the source will likely require a $2-3K investment. The Rotel 1072 appears to be a CD player I would like; dual DACs, lower oversampling, low noise, and two have already recommended it. I'm just not sure how much of an improvement it will be over your 975.