@shadowcat At that budget, you can do both. My suggestion would be the Bluesound Node2 as a Network Player, and then I would look for a SACD/CD player that has a DAC (I don’t think you mentioned a DAC in your setup) which can be accessed by other digital sources. Until a few months ago the latter would have meant Oppo, but they have ceased making players. I believe that Marantz still makes good CD/SACD players in the $1000 range, but I’m not sure if their DACs can be accessed. Also, you didn’t mention if Multichannel is a consideration.
Another way to go would be to get the Sony Universal Player for around $400, the Node2 (also $400) and spend the remainder on a DAC. There are some very good DACs in the $1000 range. Both the Node2 and the Sony have DACs but they are nothing special and at your budget you can really improve things with a good DAC.
Another way to go would be to get the Sony Universal Player for around $400, the Node2 (also $400) and spend the remainder on a DAC. There are some very good DACs in the $1000 range. Both the Node2 and the Sony have DACs but they are nothing special and at your budget you can really improve things with a good DAC.