CD player

Here we have yet another thread where someone asks about a CD player, mentions that he likes to both spin CDs and stream, and every one tells him that he should just stream.

  The OP mentions that he has thousands of CDs and listens to Classical and Jazz.

Non Classical listeners may have trouble appreciating this but music organization files do a terrible job organizing Classical Music.  I also have several thousand CDs and usually can find the desired CD on my shelves in less time than it takes to locate in the streaming software.  Making playlists, a laborious and tedious process, helps, but I have had my playlists disappear more than once due to updates in the apps.

  Now I don’t know if the issue above is germane to the OP.  Perhaps the OP has another reason to prefer to spin CDs.  It is just annoying to see a person specifying that they want to play CDs and stream,  and watch them be told that they shouldn’t play CDs.

   Now, to the OPs question…If you enjoy the DAC in the NAD but find it harsh, yet preferable to the Schiit DAC, I would replace the DAC and use the NAD as a transport.  Failing that, I would get a CD player that has digital inputs so if you later change your mind about the Schiit, you can use the CDP as a DAC for other digital sources

Here on Audiogon there is a Sony 777ES for $950. Plays SACDs as well as CDs. Good price for a top-notch player!

Here we have yet another thread where someone asks about a CD player, mentions that he likes to both spin CDs and stream, and every one tells him that he should just stream.

@mahler123

Yes, this occurs pretty regularly on this site, a disregard for what the OP specifically is inquiring about. It very clear the OP enjoys streaming but he wants to also spin CDs. This is a straightforward and achievable task , yep, enjoy both!

@xti35 based on your list I’d choose the Audiolab CDT 6000 . This is a very good sounding transport by all accounts. The Denafrips Aries DAC was mentioned above and this modest priced DAC would pair quite nicely with the Audiolab.

Now you have a very nice Redbook CD playback system to go along with your digital streaming. The upgraded transport will make an important and noticeable sonic improvement in my opinion.

Best.

Charles

I am thoroughly pleased with the results of my ’better’ cd quest:

a used Sony xa5400ES.

sadly they are going up in price it seems, so over your budget somewhat, until a nice deal pops up.

prior search efforts here

I use Cambridge CXC and Denafrips Ares ll . I feel it is much better than my Marantz CD6006 which is very similar to the CD6007...the Cambridge AXC35 is surprisingly good for the price, though I don't think as good as the others...