My CD-player stopped working. Does it make sense to invest in a new CD-transport?

My 1st CD Player was awesome, loved it, collected over 4,000 cds over a lot of years.

https://www.hifi-classic.net/review/onkyo-dx-7500-430.html

Eventually the drawer gave me trouble, I fixed it myself half a dozen times. Next, I gave it away out of frustration, and ended up with mediocre players, then a highly respected Oppo,

then re-discovered Vinyl, didn't play CDs for a few years

then I wanted an SACD player, asked here, took advice and got a lightly used Sony XA-5400ES, 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/sony-sacd-player-scd-xa5400es-yay-or-nay?highlight=sony%2Bxa5400%2Byay

It sounds so good I re-discovered my SACDs,, CDs, and have even bought some used ones.

Don't waste your time compromising, go for something a cut above, with low hours on the laser.

does not play SACD, however, this Onkyo Changer is inexpensive, and sounded better than 9 others I researched/tried, it’s a keeper IMO.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-I8njhLZ2KlI/p_164CDC34/Integra-CDC-3-4.html?XVINQ=GZ0&XVVer=1509&awcr=628297242886&awdv=c&awnw=g&awug=9003512&awkw=pla-482618364669&awmt=&awat=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18596593409&gclid=CjwKCAiAz_DIBhBJEiwAVH2XwBnhKLJJxFw37d5gIINIH9BXleHr1PqL_XuSCid-xQyPMLxq9vPm5BoCEq8QAvD_BwE

Crutchfield usually has good info, probably find it for less elsewhere

If you already own a lot of CDs and you like your DAC, then yes.  I bought a CDT this past summer and TBH I more often prefer to spin my old CDs rather than stream.  I collect some indie music that isn’t available on streaming services, so there’s that too.  Like someone said earlier in the chain, there are no absolutes, and it’s good to have options.  Get a good digital cable to connect your CDT to your DAC.

Laser drives don’t last- most have plastic gearing that wears out and the lasers also seem to get misaligned.

Nonsense. Nylon gears will outlast you.

Your CDP probably needs a new laser.  For a decent current CDP just get a Rotel.  Even the old Rotel Saturn CDP should have a digital output if you want to hook up an external DAC.