Is it worth upgrading a CD player?

@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)

I have had the Marantz CD6002 for about 10 years. I upgraded everything in the last 3 years but never for once was unhappy with the CD player. I think it would be very hard to gain anything by replacing it (in my "budget", low-end system). I compared it to streaming and vinyl, same songs, and - again - with my components, all three sources were profoundly different but not necessarily better/worse. Some music sound best on CDs, mostly certain genre and decade - to my ears.

btw what speakers did you end up with?

As posted by @newbee,

"there is considerable difference between a CD transport (what you are using your Marantz as) and dedicated transports." 

I am hearing more lately about the quality of CDs played through a dedicated transport being sonically better than, or at least equal to, high level streaming equipment.  I have a couple of pretty good DACs here and the manufacturer of those DACs believes CDs played through a good quality transport sound better than streamed audio (and that manufacturer makes a streamer!).   

I have heard good things about the Audiolab CDT6000 transport discussed in this thread.  If you can afford another level up, the Jay's Audio CDT2-MK3 or their flagship CDT3-MK3 have a strong following. I haven't pulled the trigger on a transport because I have so far doubted that the delta between the sound quality from my streamer/server and that provided by a transport playing physical CDs would be large enough to outweigh the convenience of streaming, at least for me.

@mitch2

I have so far doubted that the delta between the sound quality from my streamer/server and that provided by a transport playing physical CDs would be large enough to outweigh the convenience of streaming, at least for me.

If you really enjoy streaming music and it’s your predominant listening choice, I’d recommend that you just stick with it. On the other hand it you genuinely appreciate CD ownership,handling interaction and listening, then pursue a high quality dedicated CD transport. The best you can afford.

Redbook 16/44 can be/is absolutely superb sounding if a higher tier DAC and higher tier transport are carefully selected and paired. This has been my outcome.

Charles

To me it's worth it.

I love using a CDP.

I love holding physical media.

My 2C. 

Your money, your choice.