What sound characteristics are most important to you?
Frankly, I think you’re better off going with a separate DAC these days as you’ll have many more choices to meet your individual tastes, and you can still use your beloved MF player as a transport til she dies. One example, I’m not aware of any R2R NOS DACs in a stand-alone CD player, so if that technology appeals to you you’re pretty much outta luck. FWIW, and best of luck.
Frankly, I think you’re better off going with a separate DAC these days as you’ll have many more choices to meet your individual tastes, and you can still use your beloved MF player as a transport til she dies. One example, I’m not aware of any R2R NOS DACs in a stand-alone CD player, so if that technology appeals to you you’re pretty much outta luck. FWIW, and best of luck.