Ruminations On CD Players

Going down the road of transport and DAC gives a lot of flexibility for future upgrades and "tuning" SQ to ones liking. Limit of $2K is well enough to start on this path. Cambridge or Audiolab transports, very well regarded, and lots to chose from DAC category under $1.5K. Been there, done that.

If you have a dac I’d recommend getting a transport. Much more flexibility. 

I don't have a streamer and hate to say never, but I'll likely stick with CDs and vinyl.

It’s good you’re at least open to the possibility of streaming in the future.  Once I started streaming via Qobuz I very rarely spin a CD anymore because 90%+ of my music is available to stream from my chair in any order, and a good bit of it is also available in hi res.  Plus, I spend much more time exploring worlds of new music, which I find infinitely more rewarding, enlightening, and enjoyable than just playing the same stuff over and over — best thing to happen to audio in decades IMHO and has totally reinvigorated my love of audio.  My only regret is I didn’t start streaming even sooner.  All that said, if you do think you might try streaming in the future you might consider a separate transport/DAC or at least a CD player that has a digital input and can be used as a DAC.  These days you’ll also have a lot more choices in DACs than CD players, so there’s also that to consider.  Anyway, best of luck in whichever way you choose to go.

+1 mahler123 comments.   With a CDP you have to like the voicing of the DAC.  With separates you can either find the DAC to optimize your sonic preferences and or match your system.  There are tastes in DACs like Difference chip, R2R, tube buffer etc.  Can't match that with an all in one.  I'm running a Cambridge CXC transport and MHDT Orchid (R2R, tube single buffer) DAC. I can change the sound by swapping a single inexpensive 2C51 tube for $15 to $90 from warm, rounded to crisp and revealing with that tube.  I think MSRP for both is now around $2300.  I got an open box CXC for about $350.  Orchids are tougher to find used and new run about $1300.  And yes, a DAC will allow for future growth like a streamer.  

I like that idea.  I'll give the Orchid a look.  I'm getting swayed toward the notion of separates.