why use a dac?

Unless your CD player is very high end, a seperate DAC will usually produce better sound. Bryston makes a very well reviewed and regarded CD player, which is, in relative terms, a very reasonably priced player. But they also have a seperate DAC you can buy, that is a juiced up version of the CD player DAC, and IMHO makes the CD player sound better. I can tell you that with computer/media server based music it is a necessity if you want good sound to use an external DAC.

My Oppo disc player sounds OK on it's own, but through the DAC that I have, it sounds great, well on that rare instance I actually play a disc.

Because they cant afford 5000-8000 ones.....

oh, that was a good one USblues! Well played!

"I don't think investing in a cdp is risky. Tons of people are trying to offload their cd collections"

Wd515 - You're right, I forgot about it.

I am probably similar to Elizabeth in my approach to this hobby.I have fun "playing" with different stuff.I also hoarde 5 disc changers(as the transports and drive mechanisms do eventually fail).

I(and probably Elizabeth as well)am also constantly searching for sonic nirvana.Some highly rated DACS are too tempting and affordable(especially at used prices)to pass up.Their flexibility allows you to add one to a Sony 5 disc SACD changer,or a universal DVD player and still have outstanding Red Book CD performance in the system!