I agree in part with the above. If your current player has a digital output and could be used as a decent transport, get a used dac. If no, then get a good all in one player, with a digital output for future upgrades. While digital separates can yield much better sound over all in one players, there are more variables being introduced. Many cd players, and some cd transports have high jitter outputs. Going to separates also means you have to consider the above plus the cost of a digital cable and maybe even a jitter reduction device and another digital cable. If you like to tinker with all of this then go for it. Something like a Marantz cd63 as a transport with a used jitterbug, and a good used dac with apogee digital cables will probably sound as good as any $1,000 cd player. If you want try a used, forgiving dac, try Micromega. However, if you want simplicity, go for the all in one player and maybe get some better cables or some more cd's.
CD playback - 1 box or 2
If the group is ready for another “CD Player or Separates” question (I’ve read all the old ones that are still on-line), here goes… I had planned to spend one grand to buy a CD player. I started to listen to budget/mid items like Arcam Alpha’s through 8SE, Rotel’s through 991…. They were mostly a nice improvement over what I’ve been using, but they really didn’t excite me much. (I’d especially like to hear more of the weight and resonance of the human voice.) (I’m running through Linn Majik to Linn Sekrit speakers.) ….. So now, I think I might have to look at the next level of players and perhaps think Used. Now, maybe I’m looking for an Alpha 9, or a Linn Genki, or Meridian 506, or something in that neighborhood. ….. In that used-equipment price range, a combination of a DAC like one of the MSBs or a Muse 2 and an inexpensive but well-regarded player used as a transport also seems affordable. It defies reason to think that a two-box solution at this price range would measure up to the performance of a good one-box. But, what do you think? Should I be considering two-box options as well?