Looking for a CD Player

I second the Rotel RCD 1572 MKII. It’s the single play CD player in my system. It has a good DAC.

I would encourage you to try streaming. I’m over getting up and down too to change the disc. Old guys like us need to try new things that will help.

To start you can get a free trial with Qobuz (actually all services have free trials for about 30 days but I found Qobuz to be the best in my experience). Start with an inexpensive but decent Streamer and DAC combo like the Bluesound Node. You can find a lot of used ones for about $200 US. Easy to setup and use. The Node comes with cables to connect to your integrated amp or preamp. They have a BluOs app you can use on your phone or tablet to choose your music on Qobuz and run the Node. You will need a wired or wireless wi-fi connection. Once you start streaming you’ll never look back based on my experience with friends. So much old and new music available at your fingertips.

Once you decide streaming is for you, you can upgrade your system based on your budget. Now that I’m all in on streaming and ripping my CDs to the same music server, I have a Innuos Zen Mk3 streamer with a 1 TB storage to save the CDs I rip to the unit. Connected to a Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC. Bought the Innuos used so both cost me about the $3K you have budgeted for a CD player.

Enjoy your new musical journey and please share what you decide to do.

@smerk 

There is a phenomenon here that when people inquire about getting a CD player they are told that they should be streaming. 
  Be aware that streamers are networking computers.  Sometimes there are computer issues that cause them to suddenly stop being able to play music.  If you ever had a printer attached to a computer that suddenly could not connect with each other than you know what I mean.

  I suddenly lost access to a streamer last week when the app on my phone stopped working.  It took me an hour to figure out the problem.  The latest Apple update on my iPhone disabled the app.  It took me another hour to figure out a workaround.

  If your tolerance for fun and games like this is low, I suggest sticking with CDs.

  Your original question has been answered by others.  CD players come with a DAC installed.  CD Transports do not.  And if you don’t want to play SACDs buying that capability is a waste of money.

  Now if you want to play CDs but think that you might want to explore streaming, there are combination products with DAC, CD Transport, and streamer all in one, at your price range

Rotel and Marantz, and others, make nice mid priced (under $3K) players that are more than adequate for daily listening. A CD PLAYER has the DAC built in. The CD TRANSPORT requires an external DAC. Internal or external DAC you interface with the player or transport. SACD, HD and others are enhanced digital CD "formats". A normal, everyday CD can be referred to as a "Red Book CD". Many manufacturers source the Laser and Transport assemblies from suppliers, as do many DAC manufacturers with chips. Which Transport and which Laser is kind of getting into the weeds at the 3K level, it becomes a marketing issue. a $1500 player is hard to tell from more expensive units unless you have done a ton of critical listening and have sound quality parameters (AKA Golden Ears). If so, you will be auditioning individual units.

76 yo: I have owned many hi-end CD transports and players over the decades. Several years ago I got a great deal on an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 for $1000. Recently I replaced a Audiolab 6000CDT transport with a Shanling ET3 transport MSRP $729. It is an absolute bargain, but if you want to keep it simple go to Shanling.com where you can buy direct a SCD 1.3 to play both CD and SACDs MSRP $1279 No waiting

HTH

If all you want is to play CDs, this new CDP from Exposure might work for you.

It uses old, 1990s tech with a CD only Sony transport and Burr-Brown PCM1704 multibit DACs and is a top loader, at just $3000. Here's a review of it and here's a video review of it:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewozXatHERA (it's a very British take on it).

I haven't heard it myself but noticed the sliding door sounded a bit tinny on the video but that was on YouTube and through my computer system set up. There'll be more reviews coming soon as it's the new kid on the block.

All the best,
Nonoise