Is it worth upgrading a CD player?

Cambridge semi regularly sells refurbished CXC at great price on eBay 

If like me, you have a large CD/SACD collection, then there may be an advantage to updating your CD/SACD player. About a year or so ago I bought the Marantz SA-KI RUBY SACD/CD Player and DAC. It meets all my needs and expectations and then some, being a superb DAC and CD transport in addition to an excellent stand alone player. And it doesn’t hurt that it is built like a tank! For me, it’s an end-game player that I will pass down to my kids (along with my CD/SACD collection) when I am no longer around. Regardless of your preferences, I hope you and all the folks on this forum will continue to enjoy the music! Also, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

After finishing my 3 arm TT setup, I decided to go for a better sounding SACD/CD player.

Not interested in a separate DAC, but a great sounding player. OMG, I went thru many players, until I found a vintage Sony xa5400es. Asked, and many here loved theirs

https://positive-feedback.com/Issue47/sonyscdxa5400es.htm

I am re-discovering my many CDs, even buying used CDs, it’s that good.

My point is: in your case a transport and separate DAC has to be as good as a great sounding CD player. You have the option od a great sounding player and a separate DAC for streaming.

Using a good DAC and CD transport will make a difference.

The accuracy of the data stream to the DAC is very important. The comments suggesting otherwise may not be the best advice. However, if you can not hear the difference why bother.

If you can hear the difference then spending your money wisely is a good plan. I would suggest using a belt drive CD transport is worth the money. The performance will beat the direct drive.

I am not a fan of the Chinese knockoff's.

I would also like to point out that I am the CEC distributor in the Americas. Follow the link for more information.

@vthokie83 @mitch2 @charles1dad  I an considering the Jays two transports as well.  The digital cable is also important to consider in separates.  Not just any cable will do (unless maybe it's a balanced digital cable).  

The Project transport is only 6 lbs and requires another $800 linear power supply to make it outstanding per reviews.  The Jays looks so good and has the option of an improved clamp, transport springs...for about $400.  The question I have is the quality of Jays regulators, power supply caps, filter caps, etc.  Are they lower quality computer grade or better/top grade audiophile types?   Can they be made better?

I've gone through over a dozen transports for my three $3K to $9K DACs I tried (and kept 1).   I upgraded the caps and regulators in most.  All with IEC power cables (my high end A/C cables).  The Cambridge (sorry) was among the worst.  Maybe the Audiolab is better but an Emotiva CD player (2 and 4 tested) bested the Cambridge by a large margin (latter was thin sounding, minimal bass and minimal depth).  The PS Audio latest transport was also a no-show.  Great concept but not good sounding (bad execution-possibly the fault of the tranport itself).  

I am currently using a very souped up Philips CDM9 transport unit which has new power, filter caps, regulators, etc.  It just sounds great but is long in the tooth, could fail anytime (1 unit had a blown fuse resistor on the power board with floated diodes-trying to repair it).  

I also played with many digital cables.  I ended with Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria SPDIF/RCA for $1500.  Just great!!!  Ate up all the others.

Second SR cable I've tried (Foundation digital first). 

I don't recommend the Foundation series unless you try it with your system first.  It had a weird frequency response, warm bass, full mids with instruments going in and out, peaky (not shrill) highs with virtually no soundstage/depth.