any opinions about the bat vk d5 cd player ?

I agree with Waltfarr and Beemer about both the BAT and the Cary. I have the Cary and auditioned the BAT. They are both quality players, with the BAT definitely the more euphonic and 60s-sounding--which, to me, is a good thing. The Cary is more resolving and more tweakable with tube-rolling, but it doesn't have that "honey-glow" that Waltfarr identifies as the BAT's audio character.

i own the bat vk d5. it is anything but warm. i have mullard tubes in them and i have tried amperex as well.

it sounds like solid state. it's analytical and has too much emphasis in the lower treble/upper midrange.
there is no honey glow and no 60's sound. i have also used several line cords to try to get some bloom and romance.

i suspect the differences we are reporting have more to do with how we describe the sound than the actual sound of the player.
by comparison my audionote has the vintage tube sound.

i made a mistake by buying this player. i would love to sell it, but it would have to be done discreetly.

it is intrinsically not a bad product, just another typical 24/192 player which doesn't sound like there is a tube in it.

Mrtennis, you are exactly right about the VK D5. I have used it as a long time player in my second system because it couldn't cut it in the main one & I'm too lazy to sell it. I've never been that impressed with many BAT products actually.