CDP or DAC?

"Unless you just like futzing with physical media there is no fundamental benefit."

Well, I guess I'm old-fashioned and clearly, the "futzing" and the "benefit"
 are in the mind of the beholder! 

I like books-- forget the kindle-- and I like CDs. There's something very reassuring about being able to grab a title from a wall of cds, actually hold it in my hand, read liner notes for the umpteenth time, etc.Maybe there's ritualized aspect I find comforting but I liked analog gauges on my dashboard, way back when and I can't see that in terms of ritual. 
I'd rather wash a carrot and cut it up with a knife than buy a bag of pre-washed, pre-sized, pre-peeled, ready-to-eat "karits".
 
The last thing I want is for my audio system to feel like one more damned computer interface. . .as if they're aren't enough of those that I have to contend with, already.  

Won't be long before we're all born with a keyboard implanted in one arm and a screen in the other. . . gonna have to memorize passwords for all the basic bodily functions... 

I'm in no hurry to go there ! 

To paraphrase the Kinks: "I'm a twenty-first century man but I don't wanna be here". 

this isn’t what the op is inquiring about, but to the discussion immediately below, one must remember that cd’s bear the music for the owner, like owning the music files, while streaming is hearing the music sent to you by the owner/provider

wifi, internet or lan goes down, the cdp will let you hear the music you own

if your hard drive or local computer goes down, or gets corrupted, then the music files you thought you had available can be lost

yes you can lose or damage a cd too... but in that physical form it is more durable and permanently accessible

Have a look at the www.cocktailaudio.com products. Transports, streamer and DAC (+ ripper if needed). I found them on the web by a fluke and bought the X45 Pro and it is very good.

AG 🇦🇺

I posted that comment about CD players and ran out the door so yes if ARC has backup transports that’s good but if they don’t you're basically out of luck. And its good it has digital inputs that greatly enhances the functionality. My comment wasn’t really a dig at ARC the same thing has happened with Wadia they can’t or won’t repair older models due to no parts being available.

Not sure about streamer longevity but I will say I’ve run my streamer, an Auralic Aries Mini, for 5 years pretty much nonstop with no issues, knock on wood.

500 cd's sound like something you could rip. I would go that route. Either buy a server that can rip directly or buy a small computer (if you don't have one) for ripping and a server for playing music. Add a good dac if that is not built into the server.

If you don't want to rip everything then I would recommend a CDP + dac.