CD or DVD player to use as a transport

For many years I have used an old Theta Compli.
I think it originally sold for $2500. This is a DVD/CD transport with coax output. To get something of similar quality today, you would certainly have to pay many thousands. I paid about $500. Highly recommend you look for one.

Buy the CXC or Audiolab Cd6000 transport. 

Cambridge Audio CXU Universal Player !!! Eats everything CD, SACD, HDCD, DVD, Bluray, and some other formats. Highly capable DACs on board, audio upsampling future, oh and extremely regarded Pure Audio future which disables all electrical chains except those which takes part in audio path, even front panel lights are disappears all in favor off lowering interference and cleaner sound. 

I have debated whether to replace my 25+ year old Pioneer PD-M702 CD changer.  I know the consensus here is that it is junk, but it sounds good to me and still works.  The other consideration is that I have a Bluesound Vault 2i and have loaded all my CDs onto that for playback and don’t use the CD changer very much now.  

If I were to replace the Pioneer, I have been looking at Audiolab CDT6000, which is a transport, so I would still need to get a DAC to use with it.  I’ve seen the CDT6000 for sale for $500;  then add the price of the DAC and I’m up close to $1,000.  I just don’t know if the expense is worthwhile for something I might not play much.  

I suppose if I was in OP’s position, I might opt for an inexpensive player that already has the built-in DAC.  I don’t recall if the Cambridge is a player or transport, and that would be good to know before he makes his decision.  

cxc

I use an Emotiva ERC-4 CDP @ $600 new and it is noticeably much better than my Oppo 203 regardless of whether I use the built In DACs of each device or connect to an external DAC. However the best performance by far comes with the use of an AES cable into my DAC that being a Holo Spring Level 1. Everything else being equal I find AES to be far superior to coax or toslink. 

Oppo 103 so can do cd dvd and bluray

CXC

The refurb CXC is on a different planet than a n old, used Oppo.
It is the best bet.

Look for one of the earlier Oppo's if you want inexpensive

• DV-970HD
• DV-971H
• DV-980H
• DV-981HD
• DV-983H

Look for a factory refurbished Cambridge CXC transport on Ebay for ~$300 or so.  I have one and it's very good for the price.  I highly doubt anything in that price range would be better. 

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.

If you really want help, you need to delete this and redo it adding your budget