Recommendations for CD Player/DAC Combo

I was able to get a good deal on the Cambridge CXC transport and the Gustard X 10 DAC. A very nice combo. The X 10 actually sounds better than my Emotiva Stealth DAC.  Good listening!

Luxman D08U end of the road 

For uninterrupted back ground music I utilize an old Yamaha 5disc DVD/CD changer which I run via optical connection through my Oppo UDP205 to take advantage of its stellar DAC then analog out to my Mc gear. I’m glad I kept the player after all those years now with its new found sound. Never heard a complaint from anyone. :)

I have an idea/solution that no one has mentioned yet!  Buy a used Aurender A10 Music Server/DAC combo.  I saw one here the other day for less than $4k.  Not only will you now have an excellent streamer with access to Tidal (and complete MQA unfolding), you can also connect the A10's DAC to a cheap CD player via optical cable.  This operation effectively turns the CD player into a transport.

I stumbled upon this by reading a review of the A10 before I purchased one.  I use an old Pioneer 45A DVD/CD/SACD/ player which can be had for about $50 and a $25 optical cable.  I imagine that most sellers would leave their music files on the A10 so you should also inherit some new music.  So, for around $4k you have a killer CD player, a high-end streamer and a whole new world to explore!

If you can't afford the Rega Isis Valve, the Rega Saturn R is a really good compromise. I've owned mine for a couple of years and really enjoy it. MSRP is $3K and they are about half that on the used market. They sound really good, have lots of digital inputs and are built like a brick. Really enjoyable IMHO.