I have a $500 Audiolab 6000CDT transport and my Hegel 590 has a first class DAC built in. The first CD I ever bought was Ry Cooder's Bop Till You Drop around 1982. I still listen to CDs about 50% of the time I spend with music, which is about 2 hours every evening. Despite what anyone else may say, I can't hear the difference between my CD or vinyl collections. You don't need to break the bank to buy some very respectable equipment and will let you continue enjoying your CD collection. Why go any further than that?
CD Alternative
At present I have around 1200 CD's which are played on a Cal Audio/Benchmark DAC 1. I am looking for some guidance regarding the potential use of high res streaming or ripping and having a server. I have no idea which option/equipment to pursue or if there is another option to consider. This all started when I recently went to audition speakers with a few CD's but discovered this was the old fashioned way and instead used a "Roon Streamer" I think. Secondly the Cal Audio is about 25+ years old and the DAC 1 is 16 yrs old. Thanks in advance for your responses as I am absolutely confused with the digital path to take.