CDP or DAC?

bobheinatz OPThinking of Jay’s transport.

Nice transport Bob, ( just don’t go slot loaders) but before buying check with the manufacture what the make and model no. laser is in it and then go "online" to see if they are still available easily and cheap.
(not from the transport manufacture themselves, they could just have heap of NOS that aren’t available anymore)
Nothing worse later on than being stuck with a good transport that needs a new laser you can get cheap/easy or even new from anywhere.

Cheers George

bobheinatz OPThank you for all that contributed to this thread. I have decided to buy a nice DAC and dedicated transport. I will be looking at Dac’s in the $5k - $8k range.

For the DAC you can’t go past this then "at any price" for your 500+ CD’s , the "Holo May" R2R Multibit, Stereophile said it one of the best they’ve ever measured /heard. Then you’ve got $3k for a good transport, which is plenty.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/holoaudio-may-level-3-da-processor

Cheers George

Georgehif, I've been waiting "hopefully for not too much longer the Shiit UrD transport to be released.
 I may default to a Cambridge Audio model.

If it's urgent, get the Cambridge CXC used, not a bad unit and no cheap computer slot loader, proper CD transport. You'll always get your money back on it.

Cheers George

bobheinatz

For your PCM CD’s 16/44 24/96 and DXD you wont’s better "bit perfect" R2R multibit conversion.
Forget the others they only give a facsimile of PCM, but are good though for dsd/sacd

If you like your vinyl sound then go for a one of the many now discrete R2R multibit dacs out there, at the moment the Holo May would be my choice for your budget
https://www.stereophile.com/content/holoaudio-may-level-3-da-processor
and wait hopefully for not too much longer the Shiit UrD transport to be released,
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/schiit-cd-transport-on-the-cards-soon
If not the Cambridge CXC mkII will suffice.

Cheers George