Cambridge Audio CD Player Has Died

Is there an method to determine whether the problem lies with the DAC or the transport that I can do myself?

Just so that I am educated on this subject, is it correct to say that a stand-alone CD player is essentially a DAC + a transport? Sorry for the remedial question.
Kit

Thank you. As soon as I decide what option I want to pursue regarding the replacement of my CD player, I will seek your recommendations. Many thanks.

Well, out of curiosity I turned on the CD player a few minutes ago. At the moment it's working, but there undoubtedly is an issue. Maybe heat related? We'll see.

Just to follow up on my last post...as I mentioned, the CD player started to work again. However, occasionally the audio output will stop suddenly. Interestingly, if I power-cycle it on & off, it will begin to work fine again. Might this be a clue as to what is malfunctioning?
Thank you, all, for your help with this!!
Kit

Yes, CA offered me the same when I had some repair work done last year. That will certainly be an option. Thank you.

tomcarr: Thank you for the info. For no explainable reason, for the past 10 days the CD player has worked flawlessly. However, I will keep your suggestions on hand in the event the problem resurfaces.

Well, seems like the issue of periodically "going dead" is still plaguing my CD player. So it looks like a replacement is inevitable. If I opt to buy a DAC to see if that resolves the problem, how would I connect it to my Cambridge Audio CD player? Would doing so bypass the internal DAC in the CD player? Sorry if this sounds remedial; but this is new territory for me. Thank you.

Thank you, sfar, for the clear explanation. Yes, indeed my player has served me well. And your recommendation to simply replace it makes sense. The question that I am asking myself is: whether to buy a new (or reconditioned) player or a DAC/transport? If I opt for the DAC/transport, I could buy the DAC first & see whether it resolves the problem with my player. If not, then I could get a new transport.

Thank you, everyone, for the responses. I certainly am well aware of the pros & cons associated with the two options. And, of course, personal preferences enter the equation.
So, the rest is up to me. It's time to do my homework & weigh the options. If I have any further questions, I feel confident that this forum is an excellent resource.

Well, it's time for me to explore whether to replace my dying Cambridge Audio CD player with another standalone CD player or with individual transport & DAC units. From all of your previous comments, I can assume that some of you are immersed more deeply in the audiophile world far than I. So I would respect your recommendations on specific brands & models of transports & DACs that pair well together.
Here are a couple of parameters I would like to stay within: (1) units that will complement the "musicality" of my Audio Research tube preamp and (2) a combined price range of $600 - $1,000. However, I would be willing to extend my price range if there is a significant increase in audible quality.
Thank you in advance for your help. Much appreciated.
Kit

Thank you, tomcarr & jtcf, for the recommendations. 

I’m curious.....will adding a dac to a stand-alone player appreciably improve the audio quality?

Thank you. 

Based upon your recommendations & some research, I am leaning toward the Cambridge Audio CXC transport & one of the Music Hall DACs. I would appreciate your thoughts on the Music Hall 15.2 & the 25.3. Reviews suggest that these DACs are "warmer" than many other DACs. Am I correct in assuming that the MH 25.3 is tubed & the MH 15.2 is not?
Of course, whichever transport & DAC is purchase, I want to be sure that it is well-matched to my existing 2-channel audio system. I am running my music sources through a Audio Research SP16 tubed preamp, a Bryston 14B SST power amp & Paradigm Sig 7 speakers.
Thank you for your input.
Kit

Thank you, jtcf, for your response. According to Roy Hall, the 25.3 is indeed less analytical. However, that is no longer in production & my limited search cannot find one in anyone's inventory.
I am also looking at the Schiit Modi 3.

Thank you. I will keep my eyes open.

Thank you for the link. However, I opted to exchange the defective Azur 840C for a discount on the CXC transport.

Certainly. 

Well, the Cambridge Audio CXC transport arrived. I connected it into my system along with the Schiit Multibit DAC. So far I am quite pleased.

[Now there is a caveat here. As a photographer, what is pleasing to the eye is inherently subjective. Similarly, I consider reproduced music being subjective to the ear. For me, I am interested in recreating a sound experience what I imagine would sound like if the performance was in my living room. I listen for all of the nuances & imperfections in both the instruments & voices].
That being said, it seems like the combination of the CXC transport & the Schiit DAC moves closer to my objective than the Cambridge Audio Azur840C that I replaced. If only I could switch back & forth between the two, I would be more objective. Nevertheless, I am quite pleased so far.

jl35:  Did you experience any appreciable increase in quality of sound after a period of "break-in"?

Thank you  for the information.

My pleasure.