Ruminations On CD Players

Thanks for the info.  I don't recall if the separates were in my price range or not, just an observation that they exist.  I want to learn if it is something to save my pennies for, or if the sonic qualities of separates are subjective or only audible on higher-end equipment.  

I will post the required counter to investing again in a CD player.

First, you haven’t posted your system, so I have no idea of the quality, or even if you have a streamer/server, but assuming that you have a good quality streamer/server:

Ripping CDs is now a bit perfect process.  If a streamer can take advantage of SSD storage and is of good quality, you can have the quality end result of a top notch CD transport.

A bit over a year ago I decided to take the 4K I was going to spend on a top transport and upgrade my streamer/server and I’m very happy with the results.  My music is on an internal Aurender SSD and backed up to a Synology Raid network drive.  CDs are in storage.  All is controlled by my iPad.

Advantage of separate transport and DAC? The same as the advantage of not having your turntable built into your preamp.

@jrcotner - My two cents - One advantage to having a separate DAC and CD transport is the flexibility and potentially lower cost of a future change should you find replacing one or the other improves SQ further, or presents a different sound more to your liking.. That said, you will find differing views within threads on the importance of the  transport. I am in the camp that you don't want to short change with the transport , it definitely impacts the overall SQ realized. I state this via 1st hand experience having moved on from a Cambridge CXC transport (pretty decent) to a SimAudio 260DT transport ; both used in conjunction with a Modwright Elysee DAC.  With the budget that you want to stay in I'd recommend going for a traditional CD player versus separates;  depending upon your viewpoint on cables you might also have to allocate some of that budget to an upgraded power cord and digital cable. Staying with the CD player you would hopefully maximize your budget from an SQ standpoint. 

Best of luck with whatever decision you make. And, no need to be swayed from staying with CDs by the streamer crowd. Enjoy spinning! I do in 2 systems

At your price point , I’d be strongly. looking at preowned BRYSTON or SIMAUDIO 

I had the ARCAM FMJ CD23T cdp in a prior system , so I know its sonic signature very well.