Better CDP or network player?

Thanks for the advice folks. 

I do not currently have a stand alone DAC. The units I'm initially considering would be the Marantz  S14s1 CDP or the Marantz NA11s1 network player. The S14s1 does allow stand alone DAC usuage. Both can currently be had within my budget................I'm not a gear junkie..can't afford to be, so I like to get the best I can and keep it for as long as I can..............I'll do some research on your recommendations and any others that come in before I pull the trigger............Thanks much!!

been reading lots of reviews.....my eyes are watering...still can't decide what to do. I could get a great DAC for the money and use the outputs from my CDP.......the 8001 isn't dead yet, just beginning to get flakey...and if it dies, which all things do, I could, as suggested, pick up a very reasonable used player that had digital outputs and get on with my day..............also use it ......I think....to play downloaded music files......I'm a pretty smart guy, but kind of a babe as far as downloading music, streamers, players, NAS, etc..never got into that before, stuck with one box solutions...........Music Direct has the Marantz SA14s1 on sale for 1999 and the DAC can be accessed separately............can you download music files to your PC and then to your DAC?......I did say I was an idiot about these things!! LOL............Is that a "better" option than going with  a network player?...............Sorry, I know a fair amount about audio  but this is virgin turf for me....duh..........I'm always behind the curve, didn't get a CDP until the 90's, so I'm always playing catch up.

Yeah, they have an excellent rep. Haven't read the details for their demise, but I assume it was a corporate thing.......You can still pick pick up the gear, but without support, I'd be wary.

mahler + djones

Thanks folks, it's getting clearer. The hobby was so much easier when everything was simpler, must be getting old..........OK, I guess that's a given.  LOL

Yes, it truly is fun to spend other peoples money. Spent my career working for defense contractors. What the GOV spends on electronics makes all but the most stratospheric audio gear seem like pocket change.

djones

Thanks, I will take a look at the CA x40-x45.................I'm sure that I COULD solve the puzzle of several devices interconnected and jump through the required hoops to make it work................but really, I'd just rather spend my time enjoying the music. LOL..............I have read that ripping red book to WAV actually makes them sound better.........not sure why that would be or SHOULD be, but I haven't done it, so I'll have to give them the benefit of the doubt,.......can we just spin a record and get on with life!!  LOL........thanks

Thanks Mr Jones

Looking more like I'm going to go with a good DAC and feed it via PC and external drive for downloaded files.........can't be THAT much of a PITA. LOL I guess once it's up and running it should be fairly simple on a day to day.......I have a new Win 10 PC that's not really doing much. I can figure out how to make that a server or storage or whatever and feed an external DAC............Looking at the Schiit Yggdrasil.........seems to be something special, BUT it doesn't do DSD or hi-rez files, strictly SOTA redbook.........From what I've read so far, it's "different" in a good way and the equal of near anything else, regardless of price........A bit more $$$ than I had planned on, but at this point in life I probably won't be worried about buying another one down the road :)

r-66........thanks, I’ll consider that one TOO!! LOL.....I really appreciate all the help and experience in this......Seems like I still have some reading to do before I break out the plastic :).........I guess the set up issue is what has me intimidated............It shouldn’t, I spent a career in electronics, but computers were only a tool to help with my job, never bothered getting far beyond what I needed to know to get through the day. There was always somebody more computer savvy than me nearby if I had issues.......I guess there still is.......on line and thanks be for THAT........I can fix damn near anything electronic, but I can also get lost in a PC in about......that fast :)

I was slow to adopt CD, having only recently purchased a very nice TT rig at the time...........Guess this won't be any different.

Spencer

Thanks for the detailed response..much appreciated. Sound quality is my primary concern, within SANE budgetary constraints. LOL......As you can see, I don't have an "uber system", but it's pretty respectable and I'm quite happy with it. Recently picked up the 4BST used for a grand, just serviced from Bryston and I love it running bi-amp with the B-100 to my Vandy 3A's.

Always thought the Marantz was a good machine, but it's getting old and fussy, which is why I'm here.

The Schiit DAC's seem to be something special, especially at the price point.  I do realize that in this hobby, EVERYODY has different opinions on EVERYTHING. My personal experience has been mostly limited to what I have or have had over the years.

Interconnecting everything seems to be an issue as far as what cabling, inputs/outputs are best, etc., but  bit of research should help me sort that out.. Lot of negative comments on using USB as an audio interface, noise etc.........The newer thunderbolt interface, via USB C, looks interesting, but I don't know if it's an improvement sonically.

Don't see myself spending, what I'd consider absurd $$$ that I don't have, on cabling and interconnects. I'm not saying that it doesn't make an audible difference, but in the end, it's still wire. If done properly I think the money is better spent in other areas..........but that's just my opinion. That's a whole different can of worms that I'd rather not open, so please don't tell me that I have to spend a couple grand on interconnects. Can't afford it, ain't doing it.

NAS seems to be the way to go, controlled via PC vs another one box solution..............Most of my library is redbook with a handful of SACD's thrown in, and some vinyl of course.......Yes, I do understand DSD/SACD and the other hi-rez files..........Some seem to think it makes a huge difference..........personally I think it depends on the particular disc. Many of my redbooks sound great, some of my SACD's possibly sound better, although the best of one is pretty close the the other, at least to my ears on my system. Perhaps upgrading to the better DAC will show a wider difference.

Looking into the NAS setup right now. Any audible reason not to simply use the PC with something like Audivarna or Jriver as the controller with an external drive to the DAC, to the pre?...........Trying to keep this as simple and reasonable from a $$$ point as possible, without losing sound quality..........No interest in multi-channel or multi-room playback. I have a dedicated, two channel, audio room and that's where I spend my evenings. 

Much appreciate the time and help folks. I'm a good tech and a life long audiophile, but the computer based system thing is new turf for me. I'm retired and getting too old to do it twice or wrong. Do it once, do it right and keep enough money to buy groceries when I'm done. LOL

As far as the Bryston gear............Always thought that it as close close to "uber" as I could afford and still eat :) Built like a tank, best warranty I've ever heard of and sounds great. That works for me. YMMV

Good Morning 

Thanks again Spencer for a detailed and informative response. How did we ever get by before the WEB???....So many helpful people with varying experiences and so much info right in your living room, or at the moment sitting on my porch with a cup of coffee watching the sun come up :)

Great point concerning PC/MAC and the myriad of non-related crap that would be running in the background. Neither of which is optimal from an electrical noise standpoint.........Convenient yes, optimal no.

Time for some more research while I drink my coffee and get ready for the day.

Thanks folks :)