I agree with you, Phil. DACs are do much more flexible than CDPs. You can bring most or all of the greatness of a CDP to a lot more sources. In this day and age, I think it's stupid not to set up a music server. I know some people's apprehension with them, but most of it just isn't true or is just absurd.
DACs don't have moving parts like transports do, making them theoretically longer lasting. What happens when the laser in a CDP is no longer in production? That high priced CDP becomes an expensive paper weight. Less and less companies are making CD transports. These relatively very small hifi companies can't possibly produce them for anywhere near a reasonable price. They'd have to make them by the 10,000's to break even. Do you think Bryston will honestly sell 30,000 BCD1s, let alone that many before turning a profit? It makes sense for companies like Sony. For even the biggest hifi company, it could bankrupt them. According to my dealer, Linn tried it and failed miserably. One of the countless reasons they stopped making CDPs.
