CDP or DAC?

Thanks for all that responsed.

stuartk490 posts07-17-2021 10:54pm"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"

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Graet spot on post.

Even if I had access to free streaming, , I have no interest. 
I'm old school.
My classical cd collection, about 400+ is now complete, have 50+ LP's just picked up a  used Philips turn table as added some rare LP.s
But I'm  a  tube cdp guy
I have a  Cayin cd17 mark1, a  Shanling 3000 (use as Transport) and a  jadis JS2 Mark2 DAC.
I like the fact all 3 units can take  the new high tech opamps, , Tried a  2 types, just landed a  3rd type which is much better the JFET's, off Ebay, Real nice high tech china opamps.
All 3 units sound very close, But there is a  nuance gain in one over the other.
Obviously the Jadis has superior components, but honestly both the cayin and Shanling off 1st  Class AAA sonic fidelity.
= All 3 have very music DAC's. 
I'm not into all these new high end expensive DAC's. 
The only other DAC/cdp tahts interests me (Other than Jadis' cd player) is the PL cdp and DAC. 
Very nice design . 
Super build, super DAC. 
So yeah, tube cdp/tube DAC, very  musical  and when you tweak with JFET's Class A , you really up the gains. 

I'm running 4 duals in the Jadis DAC. 
Shanling takes like 8 singles, 4 duals, and the Cayin 4 singles 2 duals. So cost layout is expensive but well worth the  easy upgrade.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/274403974731

Here is my cayin CD17 mark1 (almost same design as Mark2) in action,  made this vid for sale promo, but canceled the ads.   when i figured this may work in as a  2nd system later on. 
If I do set up a 2nd system, , I'll add the LKS Class A opamps.
These high quality players are slowly  fading away. 

Music starts at 2:30


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAmOC9zhS-Y

I've enjoyed the Exemplar CD players for many years. First started off with Exemplar Denon 2900 tube CD player which I still own and is still running in second system with 2 laser replacements. The Exemplar tube Oppo 105 with outboard power supply is very nice to my ears, very analog and has a nice full sound. Having the option to roll tube is also nice. I spend more time streaming now and know both CD players can become boat anchors at any moment. I hate to say it but both my turntable and CD players are starting to collect dust. 

Even if your digital medium will primarily be your CD collection, you might consider ripping your CD’s to be accessed through a streaming device; this will give you future access to streaming services.

But, if you insist on a CD playing device, a separate DAC of high quality will still be usable should you go to streaming.  I like the Audio Note DACs—tubes give them the natural and enveloping sound often found from analogue sources.

The CD player I liked the most was the Naim CDP 555.  I had that player until I went with their top end streamer.  It is no longer made so it probably is in your price range (it requires the pricey 555 PS power supply, which is why the combination is quite expensive).  A current model CD player I like is the Lector (Italian, tube-based), another rich and warm sounding player.