By my standards, the Cambridge is a fairly expensive (and well-reviewed) unit, but the sound it gives to a Redbook CD doesn’t compete with that of my more modest phono (Technics SL-D2 with a Nagoka MP-110). Can I expect to get comparable sound quality with a CD player and DAC, without spending well over $1000, or is this the unavoidable result of the 44/16 format?
A confirmed analog guy, I have learned, but only within the past year, that Redbook CD can be as good (if not exactly the same) as a very good vinyl set-up. With more consistency as well as the usual digital advantages, digital has come a long, long way.
I also learned a long time ago that "well reviewed" in the audio press means practically nothing. Better to spend some time and energy on the forums. This one and head-fi and computer audiophile, for ex.
I did 2 things that brought my CD listening to a higher level than I ever thought possible. One cost a bit of money; one cost me nothing.
First I sourced a high performing DAC* directly from China. Not very expensive from my point of view, but still just a bit more than you may want to spend. But I think one can do well for less. Second, rather than use a CDP, I ripped all of my CDs to a portable hard disk which I had hanging around and played them through my (also hanging around) laptop directly into the DAC (easiest if the DAC has a USB input). Sound is better than using my Oppo to play disks through the new DAC. Also, using JRIver I can control my digital listening entirely from my phone.
*And yes it has a femtoclock, in fact three of them.