Budget DAC vs Budget CD Player?

Option 1 obviously gives you a more flexible upgrade path and the Audioengine D1 is a very nice DAC for the money, It has the advantage over a lot of inexpensive DACs of having an optical input, handy if you're going to be using a Mac as a source.

I have one that's usually in a basement workshop system where I stream to it from iTunes or MOG though an Airport Express and on to a DIY T-amp. Because I'm packing for a move it's now in my living room and doing a nice job. Build quality is excellent, as well.

If you're comfortable using the Mac as your primary source I'd say go fot the first option.

I think it would be very difficult to find a good cdp for $200. I would also recommend the Audioengine suggestion.

Thanks guys. I'm thinking the DAC makes more sense right now too. I was also looking at a used NAD CD player....

Also if you have a nice USB DAC would there ever really be a need to add a CD player if you run a Mac Mini all the time? Seems you could just RIP everything and control the music thru the Mac.

Also considering the Emotiva XDA-2.

It is a good idea to have a spinner as a backup in case your computer based system goes belly up, you don't have to be totally without music on those occasions when you're really on the mood to hear something. I have a Denon changer, and it cannot touch the quality of my PC based front end, but I use it from time to time when I don't have the laptop totally set up, or if I don't have that new CD ripped just yet.

I bought the Audioengine D1 when it first came out. I ran a Sheffield test and burn in CD through it for 72 hours. To my ears, it sounded no better via optical (Cables to Go 40231 SonicWave Glass Toslink Cable) than a $21 FiiO D3 DAC available through Amazon.