I found playing a CD from a SSD music server smoother than from a CD player (and easier). I would try to spend about a thousand on a music server and a thousand on a DAC. You can upgrade either in the future. Maybe add DSD or MQA if they are around in 5 years. Also you can download hi rez. and raid all you buddies CD libraries.
Crazy to buy a 17 year old CD Player?
My ARC CD2 just died...I think the laser finally gave up the ghost. Any how I've got thousands of red book CDs in my library and need a replacement player. I'm thinking an ARC CD 3MKII or the Mark Levinson 390S. Am I crazy to be thinking this? Got a budget of around $2000.00. My system, though dated, is made up of higher end stuff: ARC 25 pre amp, ARC VT 150 mono amps, VPI TNT IV, Wilson Witts, all running through Transparent Reference (Balanced).