I have mentioned before I own and enjoy a $7000 SACD player I use exclusively for it's DAC, Marantz SA-10. Connected to the Marantz I play CDs in a typical for $40 used, five disc changer. Even the Toslink to the DAC at $120 costs more!
Now certainly not all cheap CD spinners sound good to a DAC. but there are enough it is worth the trouble to experiment to find one or several you like and can use as dirt cheap spinners to a good DAC.Now it is true some player suck as spinners, no question. But then some are great.
I save the Marantz spinner for reference. It is slightly better, but not enough to worry about, compared to my changers spinning CDs.And The Marantz as DAC plays CDs so well they sound just as good as SACDs.
Now certainly not all cheap CD spinners sound good to a DAC. but there are enough it is worth the trouble to experiment to find one or several you like and can use as dirt cheap spinners to a good DAC.Now it is true some player suck as spinners, no question. But then some are great.
I save the Marantz spinner for reference. It is slightly better, but not enough to worry about, compared to my changers spinning CDs.And The Marantz as DAC plays CDs so well they sound just as good as SACDs.