Why aren't there more Blu Ray/DVD transports?

To rephrase the question you're asking:

"How much less would (insert your brand here) charge for their (model XYZ) BR player if they pulled the DACs out and called it the model XYZ BR transport?"

So, a bit of speculation:

AFAIK, the guts (including transport section) of all current BR players are all manufacured by large electronics companies. For these firms, costs are largely driven by volume - and whatever component costs could be saved by pulling the DACs would likely be offset by the costs of running a smaller volume product variation.

Bottom line: pulling the DACs out of most BR players could actually increase the final retail cost of the product.

If the market will support it (a resonably big if), you can expect smaller firms (variations on Oppo) to start marketing transport only BRs, because their economics differ, and omitting components actually will lower their product cost.

Just my speculation.

Marty

I use a Sony BDP - S301 for playing CD's after my Marantz CD67 expired from old age. I paid $10 + $11 shipping from an eBay auction! I was the only bidder! Why spend big bucks for an Oppo when a quality player like the S301 is at least as good sonically! 

This thread is 13 years old and for good reason.  Time marches on and things change. 

They are all pretty much transports now. No analog outs. Only HDMI.