Recommendations for CD Player/DAC Combo

For uninterrupted back ground music I utilize an old Yamaha 5disc DVD/CD changer which I run via optical connection through my Oppo UDP205 to take advantage of its stellar DAC then analog out to my Mc gear. I’m glad I kept the player after all those years now with its new found sound. Never heard a complaint from anyone. :)

I have an idea/solution that no one has mentioned yet!  Buy a used Aurender A10 Music Server/DAC combo.  I saw one here the other day for less than $4k.  Not only will you now have an excellent streamer with access to Tidal (and complete MQA unfolding), you can also connect the A10's DAC to a cheap CD player via optical cable.  This operation effectively turns the CD player into a transport.

I stumbled upon this by reading a review of the A10 before I purchased one.  I use an old Pioneer 45A DVD/CD/SACD/ player which can be had for about $50 and a $25 optical cable.  I imagine that most sellers would leave their music files on the A10 so you should also inherit some new music.  So, for around $4k you have a killer CD player, a high-end streamer and a whole new world to explore!

If you can't afford the Rega Isis Valve, the Rega Saturn R is a really good compromise. I've owned mine for a couple of years and really enjoy it. MSRP is $3K and they are about half that on the used market. They sound really good, have lots of digital inputs and are built like a brick. Really enjoyable IMHO.

I got my  CD player Cary CD-303 years ago and about in year 2011 I got its DAC section faulty and not working. So purchased Bryston BDA-1 DAC to work with my Cary 303. Eve since I have been using my CD player Cary 303 as a transport and Bryston BDA-1 as a DAC and the combo work well for me till this date. The Bryston DAC also helps me to hook up any other digital source to it for nice DAC function and I find it very convenient .