Is it worth upgrading a CD player?

I went from a Marantz CD5004 to a McIntosh SACD 85 paired to a McIntosh MA352. While the DAC in the McIntosh is an improvement, added SACD capability is the most significant. I will note the little old Marantz still sounds very good in the same set up, but there’s richer details with the McIntosh; enough to justify the significant expense differential? That’s up to the individual.

Also noted, there’s limited availability of SACDs and not all are exceptional, when you have a great one you’ll know, it just stands out. Maybe that’s the reveal, you can tell the difference between really detailed and flat CDs and SACDs.

Another mod was I also added balanced cables from the SACD to the MA352 (never compared them to RCA, but couldn’t resist using that option). So many options for SACD players today, but not so much material in that format, you’ll have to hunt for it online.

Another point, I use a Marantz NA6005 for streaming, but I optically connect it to the McIntosh MCD85 to use the newer McIntosh DAC for conversion to analog.  

Just not a fan of the transport/dac solution any more for playing CD’s. If I have 2 or 3 sources connected to the same dac or use it double duty as a preamp, fine. But with a collection of 1000 CD’s worth it to me to upgrade to a one and done solution where the transport/dac.are in a single unit.

Black Ice 1 box tube based solution that will also stream wireless via apple airplay or DLNA:

solid state Marantz unit that will also stream via USB:

I forgot to mention my cd collection is ripped to an external drive and then either streamed through the house via Sonos or played directly to the DAC via a USB cable from a Mac. I still manage the music library using iTunes.

If you have the cash to float and are not locked in on itunes, pick up the Bryston BDP Pi on here for ~$550.  Then attach the your ripped storage to it via USB and hook the Pi to your DAC.   The Pi will also stream Tidal or Qobuz up to 24/196 if you have wired internet to it in some fashion.   You can even hook external DVD player to Pi and rip CDs directly to storage.    The web interface is spartan and frustrating to some but the SQ is good.  Pi easily sold if you dont like it.   If you got even more cash look at the BDP -2 or 3. 

@carlsbad 100% agree the DAC is way more pivotal in its roll in the digital audio chain. Transport with a high performing DAC that will also benefit streaming is the way to go. 

Just upgraded to a LessLoss DAC with Firewire 640X and will be adding additional 640X's to my system. Outstanding products from Switzerland. 

LessLoss Power Distributor | Atelier 13 Audio (atelier13-usa.com)

LessLoss Echo's End R-2R DAC| Atelier 13 Audio (atelier13-usa.com)