what cd player ?

Rotel, used

A little bit more, but I have heard solid positive reviews of the Jay’s transport.

I have an Audiolab CDT6000, which I think is very good for half your budget.

@hilde45

dac already in it if possible. dont know much about dacs ,so dont want to have to add a dac to it if possible.......unless a separate player and dac could be purchased around that much ?

@grislybutter

which Rotel ?      do they make a good player ?        havent heard of them being suggested before.

@bkeske 

have seen jays transport....but is it just a transport and a dac would be needed ?

does the audiolab  require a dac ?

@innersound300

There is a Jay’s that is a full player I believe, with DAC, but in the $2,100 range.

The Audiolab requires a DAC. But I prefer a separate DAC, as I can use for streaming too. In addition to changing the sound or technology of the DAC separately if I choose.

I have a Denafrips Ares II, which was about $650 (more now), and the Audiolab CDT6000 was an open box I got for about $450.