[rockadanny]

I will never be interested in streaming and am only interested in CD playback (Redbook + CD-ROM).
I have no specific gear in mind as of yet.
What do you think would sound best: A $4,000 CD Player or a $2,500 DAC + $1,500 Transport?
And would there be less risk of distortion/noise/jitter from a CD player than DAC + Transport (within stated budget)?

[Rusty Jefferson]

That's too bad as streaming ripped music CAN sound better than CDs but I acknowledge it adds another layer of annoyance.

In your situation I'd opt for the cheapest transport with a digital output you can find and buy the $4k dac and the best digital cable you can afford to connect them.

[mresseguie]

I will never be interested in streaming and am only interested in CD playback (Redbook + CD-ROM).
I have no specific gear in mind as of yet.
What do you think would sound best: A $4,000 CD Player or a $2,500 DAC + $1,500 Transport?
And would there be less risk of distortion/noise/jitter from a CD player than DAC + Transport (within stated budget)?

I debated this very concern with myself, and decided on separates. I also agree with what Rusty Jefferson said. Settle for a slightly less expensive CDT (or try used?), and splurge on the DAC. It does make a difference. In my experience, a ~$4k DAC provides noticeably better SQ than a $2500 DAC.

[HAL]

That's too bad as streaming ripped music CAN sound better than CDs but I acknowledge it adds another layer of annoyance.

In your situation I'd opt for the cheapest transport with a digital output you can find and buy the $4k dac and the best digital cable you can afford to connect them.

A PC with software like Foobar2000 that can play a CD directly and a very good DAC sounds better than any CD transport I have heard at any price.  If you do consider ripping, Exact Audio Copy is great for building the music library.  Then no more searching for the CD to play.

[WGH]

I'm totally biased but a new HoloAudio Spring 3 KTE NOS DAC ($3098) + Hapa Audio Aero Coax Cu ($799) + NAD C538CD ($399) will give you A+ Redbook sound, guaranteed.

[dpatters]

There is a Lab12 Reference DAC for 2600 and a Jays Audio CDT 2 MK 3 for 2300 on the TMR website. This would make a great combo for cd spinning. Don’t under estimate the difference a quality transport makes.

Don P.

[Markwatkiss]

The key to building an audio system is like success in life it’s all about balance.Having a balanced system will always provide you with a rich musical landscape.Definitely agree with the Jays Audio recommendation.

[Early B.]

Don’t under estimate the difference a quality transport makes.

Yep. Everything matters, especially your source. Split your $4K budget evenly among the two components. Jump on Jay's Audio.   

P.S. -- I have no interest in streaming, either, but use a digital streamer to store music files and access them via software and a tablet. The streamer replaced my CD transport and I get better sound. 

[FullRangeMan]

CD Transports can be used with various DACs for different sound flavors, not a negligible feature.

[Delta77]

You have a great system Danny.

I’m a small fish in this vast pond , with only consumer experience, please take my opinion, as just a guess..

$4K is a large sum, but sadly I believe this is about the right budget for the DAC itself (New). Maybe just purchase a Wonderful DAC to complement your systems level of performance, and then find a Transport or a Server to store your CDs for playback.

Last year I upgraded my DAC to a Holo Spring 3 kte. Not suggesting a Holo ,just saying.
I was trying to upgrade from my modded OPPO 205 (Modwright). I didn’t spin CDs or watch Movies on it all after purchasing my streamer/server (Innous ZEN).
I owned a BorderPatrol SEi DAC that did out perform the OPPO , but didn’t have a volume control, so had to shop around.
Some of the DACs that I was look into last year was,
SW1X
Lampizator
Audio Note Kits
Aqua Audio
Lumin
Holo audio

Good luck with your next purchase.

Being that you have Tubes in your amp and preamp already, a Tube DAC might be a bit too much of a good thing.?