A reasonably priced CD player with volume control

You do not play CD's on a DS, it is a DAC - just a box (no moving parts), which is part of why it sounds so good. You would rip your entire collection into hard drives via a program called dbPoweramp (free I think, or maybe like $10, cannot remember) as a FLAC file most likely, either 24/96k or 24/192k. Then access your entire collection via an iPad. A DS setup is meant for someone like you (with that many CD's). Trust me... it sounds better hands down, than ANY CD player under $10k.... I have done the demos. My dealer here in AZ has two used units avail. of the Akurate DS for around $4,000. Even the Majik DS would be a better choice than a CD player. And you will have access to your entire CD library at your fingertips. You can check their website for more info. And, no, I am not a dealer, just a really big fan of this particular product from them.

BTW... a pre-owned LINN Genki would be a nice choice - however... you cannot ever get service from LINN on it, even if you offer to pay... they are not supporting any of their CD players any more (even the Ikemi, which I also owned). They stopped manufacturing CD players when they launched the DS line.

Denon 1650ar

Audiofreak32, I know you do not play CD's on a DS that's why I asked the question. No doubt LINN DS is an excellent unit but here's the problem: if I rip an average of 10 CD's 300 days a year it would take something like 10 years to do my entire collection! That's an optimistic estimate. If LINN's commitment (lack of!)to provide service for their CD players is anything to go by, I would be extremely nervous to go near any of their products no matter how great they might be. Top reliability and customer service are key for me.

I can understand that... that is a lot of CD's. I am curious how you catalog them so you can find the CD you want to listen to?