Considering getting a CD player (again). Used? New? Criteria?

REGA ISIS VALVE CDP/DAC

it comes in two versions .., the “standard “ and upgraded “valve” (tubes) . I chose the valve model for superior performance.

To your points

- world class audio performance ... full stop.
- it has direct USB input to its high-end DAC via its remote so you play external ripped files on external hard drives
- KEY POINT .... it won’t crap out on you because there are two (2) new matched serial number CD transports reserved for each unit at REGA

” ....Those worried about the viability of the CD format and getting your player serviced in the future, fear not. Inside the owner’s manual, there is a signature from the technician that assembled your ISIS, another tech that QC’d the electrical and mechanical systems and the tech that tested and archived not one, but two spare laser units. I think it’s safe to say that the ISIS will last longer than most of its owners and I appreciate this attention to detail, with CD transport mechanisms getting scarcer all the time...”


https://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-rega-isis-cd-player-2/

Other reviews

https://6moons.com/audioreviews/rega2/1.html
http://hifiandmusicsource.com/2019/05/rega-isis-cd-player-review/
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/amplifiers/rega-isis-and-osiris-66135...

TAKEAWAY

A personal demo is suggested that will impress you

Isn’t the REGA ISIS VALVE CDP/DAC around $9K?
I’m looking at the Emotiva ERC-4 a CDP with DAC at $600
The Emotvia has a 5yr warranty, the previous edition the ERC3 has good reviews ( the slightly noisy transport has been replaced)
im going to run my computer into the Emotiva via a schiit eitr usb to spdif converter so i can stream and listen to Itunes

Maranta CD6006 way below your price. Cambridge CXC with Schiit DAC. Rega Apollo used.  Good places to start your search. 

I appreciate the info about the Rega valve, but I’m hoping to cap this expense around $700 or so, and that suggestion is around $11k ( https://soundorg.com/valve-isis-reference/ )

I’ll look into the Emotiva, the Cambridge, and the Rega Apollo used. The Emotiva's 5 year warranty is really confidence-building, though Marantz's 3 year warranty is decent, too.

The challenge with audio is knowing where to spend big and where to spend moderately. With CD’s, I know that there will be other ways I’ll be getting my music, so this decision to spend moderately is a straightforward one.

Buy new (because of transport) and get the most expensive Marantz you an afford.  Marantz>Emotiva ~sound.