Looking for a CD Player

CD players always have an internal DAC. A transport is a CD player without the DAC.

Having owned OPPO, Denon and Luxman CD players I now have found sonic nirvana with the McIntosh MCD600.

Absolutely sublime sound. Touch of warmth in the upper bass.

OP, like you my only source is a CD player.

It's over your budget, but I think it's worth it.

You don't need SACD capability, but it's nice to have that option. The MCD600 plays regular CDs and SACDs.

And the remote has a luxurious tactile feel. Fast, accurate response from any angle in the room. Best remote I've ever had.

Also forgot to mention, I love the sound of the 600 so much I bought a second one for a backup just in case. I've NEVER done that before. It really is that good. Worth every penny.

Forgot to mention the MCD600 also has a preamp section.

I removed my preamp and run balanced interconnects directly from the CD player to my monoblock amps. 

Less cables, less electronic stuff for the signal to pass through improved clarity, like removing a slight opacity to the sound.

And another thing, if you use balanced interconnects and select the variable outputs, the output is 16 volts. Your amp(s) will be loafing. Less attenuation  required for a given sound pressure level. When amps work easier the sound is better.

@cleeds OK, I'll be the first to admit I'm not an EE, or any other type of engineer.

Thank you for responding.

What I do know is when I was using a separate pre it showed 60% gain to have playback at 80 dB. Using the volume control on the McIntosh CDP it shows 40% to get the same 80 dB level.

I mentioned that to a friend and he told me the higher voltage would cause that difference.

OP- great news! Nice when that happens.

@smerk 

Good for you OP!

Some common sense decency and graciousness, exactly what this forum needs more of.

Peace and a blessing.