Please help me figure out what I need to do this. My head spins with tech talk..

I would look at the higher end Yamaha and Denon, they play SACDs too, also Marantz are said to be good, or a cheaper player with digital output into a new Wadia Di322 that also has a great headphone out, endless options out there.
Good luck.

I am actually glad I had a reason to engage in some conversation & advice about this that is such a passion for me..As a woman it's not that common to find comeraderie..It's been awhile that I have discovered what's going on "out there"..and the changes since I put together my system.. Thank you, everyone!
Although I am dizzied by too techy details, I do like to tinker..and I do enjoy a journey..and I especially enjoy finding a temporary "end.."Love of music is a singular activity in most ways yet sharing thoughts with kindred spirits is not that easy except in this kind of venue..
I plan on doing some serious reading about the sonic virtues of transport vs ripped/and or streaming. I will need to do some demo/listening to be convinced ...I do know that I could never totally give up my CD's..each one has it's own story and emotional memory.it's an attachment I can't imagine I would have with my computer based repertoire...(and that AMR CD-777 sure does look yummy)..Maybe I can tip-toe into the future and meanwhile still have the goosebumps I demand..

The streaming transport is still a VITAL part of the streaming chain and not addressing that aspect is a surefire way to get bad sound.  You also can't simply get a NAS and DAC and have sound - you NEED that streamer.  Some DAC's are Roon endpoints but then they are more streaming devices with built-in DAC's.  Either way, both a streamer and a cd transport qualify as transports.  

While I agree that a CD transport has the potential to create issues, you still have the price points to contend with.  By the time you can actually achieve the sound quality that AMR CD-77 puts out, you'll easily surpass that seller's used price and probably be closer to the retail price.  I know my streaming 'package' is above five figures once you factor in my networked music, and I don't consider that to be really high end either.

I will also admit that my fears have been that the software used might have a lot of bad influence on streaming devices.  My point here is that theory vs. reality often produce different results and I've learned never to hold onto either one of them too hard.  In each case there can be factors completely missed that change expectations tremendously.  This is why I presented my experiences as such and have support from others whose ears I trust.  I believe the theory that a file should be superior than a CD track, but for some reason that theory doesn't line up with my reality yet. 

Reality beat theory when I showed at RMAF.  I ended up having to use a CD transport 90% of the time because of the sonic differences, all other things being equal.  The streamer and Cd transport were of similar build quality from the same company using the same cabling.  I even paid about $300 extra for ancillary items/installation to ensure my streamer worked in the room and I begrudgingly had to all but give it up.  This was not an isolated event either.


I am not here to ruffle feathers and would appreciate not being insinuated as a bold faced liar.  My intent in this thread is to share my experiences and help the OP find a solution that fits HER needs and desires first and foremost.  She has been provided a lot of food for thought and I hope she settles on what provides the best experience for her.

With sincerity,

Skip

Well after the audio shop's technician located a transport for my B.A,T and installed..it still cut out so there was more than the transport gone bad..and Balanced audio confirmed because  this was a very early unit,any other parts would be  wild goose chase.R.I.P. my dear B.A.T.Meanwhile, this dealer gave me a loaner- A Primare CD22.  For nearly 12 years The B.A.T. was the sound I knew..tube/lush soft, no hard edges..maybe unnaturally rounded? but I preferred that over the edge I heard from some other CDP's I listened to way back then. The sound was ingrained into my brain and that makes for a challenge to not hear "different" as "wrong".So listening to this was not likely to consider it as my next purchase, it was mostly so I wouldn't be without music. I'm having a grand time testing out my reference Cd's...and to my surprise I have found a few things..A different sound for sure...I actually find it refreshingly clear on my solo piano & female vocals...very similar to the tube sound in tone but  kind of like menthol ...pleasing and realistic...The soundstage is a bit more narrow but for these types it is a minor thing..The litmus test will be tomorrow when I try my symphonic /orchestral pieces that I demand what I had before...deep & wide soundstage,   accurate placement of instruments and most importantlyrealistic reproduction of each instrument...a screechy violin in the mix and bye bye forever.As I said I wasn't thinking Primare, but this cd22 sounds pretty damn good so far..
Let's say orchestral sounds divine...and I can assume the newer generation, cd35, (with or without DAC), sounds even better..Here's my question...:Primare and all CDP's, if everything is so geared towards digital, do you think the stand alone CD part of the equation is as advanced ? Or is all the good stuff in the DAC?
I hope someone understands what I'm asking! :)

@abstract The yearly "advances" in DACs often involve more specmanship than real electronics.  For daily driving, how much better is a 2019 car over the same 2018 model?  Before purchasing the Bryston BCD-3, I eliminated the Hegel Mohican, leaving that new model of Primare as the chief competitor.  If you have more CDs than you know what to do with, are committed to Red Book, there are distinct advantages to "integrated" players.  The transport and the DAC both make a difference, as do their implementation.  Googling you can find specs on both the Bryston and the Primare, who used different manufacturers for transports (both good) and for chips in the DACs (both good).  Finally, both makers will have implemented them differently.  Supposedly, different chips have different sonic characteristics, but it ends up being much more complicated than that.