I would suggest you also have a look at the Audio Note Dacs and try using your CD player as a transport only. I guess $2k gets you the 2.1 level DAC. Might also give you flexibility in the future for different transports or even server based application should you ever warm to that idea.
Looking to upgrade Audio Note CD-2
Although this is still a good unit, it is ten years old. I would like to hear recommendations of "better", newer units that would bring me into this century- anywhere between $1000- $2000. Tube or SS. New or used. Please don't suggest streaming, it's not for me. Thanks in advance, and best wishes to everyone. Xrayz