does it logical to invest on expensive transport?

Yes, absolutely a really good trasnport will improve performance. Absolutely no question about it. Anybody who says that it won't hasn't ever heard a good transport vs. a average one.

Are hi-res digital files better than the CD? No, at best, they are the same as the CD from which they were/are copied.

Can a server based source compare to direct from CD? Yes, with a good DAC.

Should you buy a really good transport? Depends on what you see for your future. Server based systems are very convenient and done right with a very good DAC can be truly great.

Mrtennis, I have to bust your chops on that statement (good heartedly of course):

"i have been told that there are number available for sale used on audiogon."

what are you too lazy to actually read the listings on Agon and must rely on word-of-mouth as to what is listed for sale? After all, you are/were on the site when you posted.

Cheers though to you ;-)

If you are going to play music from CD's the transport matters and definately affects the sound/performance. Saying differently is being dishonest or blind/deaf.

That being said, one's opinion that a good transport is irrelavent due to computer audio is an opinion based on the belief that one will not play music from CDs.

If I did not own a plethora of CDs and was just getting into the hobby, the computer based approach makes a lot of sense - certainly from a convencience perspective. However, if you already own many CD's and plan to continue to enjoy them by playing them (vs. ripping them to computer), the transport is an important aspect to achieve the best performance - without a doubt.