The reason for using a CD or CD / DVD player is to keep the cost to a minimum. That said, I think I paid $130 for the Onkyo C-7030 a few years ago. But that was then and this is now.
(My money is invested in a vinyl front end, but there are a few thousand CDs in my collection.)
I could drop $300 - $500 on a player if it has coax and optical audio outputs (to run to the DAC), and the transport will hold up.
(My money is invested in a vinyl front end, but there are a few thousand CDs in my collection.)
I could drop $300 - $500 on a player if it has coax and optical audio outputs (to run to the DAC), and the transport will hold up.