Arcam CD73t or Rega Planet 2000

I have owned both players at various times: they are both truly excellent. If you could swing it, purchase both and sell the one you care for least -- I doubt you would lose any money here.

Sonically, the Planet is very, very smooth and laid back. The Arcam fishes out more detail and dynamics, but at the expense of musicality (sounds much more digital). Again, either way they both are excellent, especially for the price offerred you!

oops, not new, $400 used

I would personally go with the Rega Planet 2000. I have auditoned both. But if you have the upgrade bug, I found the Rega Planet 2000 to be able to keep up better with higher grade gear. I.e. in a medium budget set-up (e.g. NAD/Arcam/Rotel/Marantz-type) both will give very good performance. I repeated the test connected to higher grade gear in the form of a Conrad Johnson CAV 50. The Rega really started to shine. In fact, oddly enough the Arcam CD72 sounded better (i.e. more musical as opposed to mechanical sounding) than the Arcam CD73 ! I looked to the dealer for some explanation: he just shrugged his shoulders.

I know have a Rega 2000 feeding a Conrad CAV 50 and Totem Model 1 speakers.

Marc, I have a Bryston b60 and signet sl280ex

I was fortunate enough to have access to a dealer that carries Rega, Arcam & Bryston. Hopefully if you can find such a dealer in your neck of the woods, you could carry the comparison in a set-up that mimics your own and then you'll be able to judge for yourself which CD player works better for you. The Bryston is a nice amp and definitely not entry level stuff.

You may want to enquire whether the dealer still carries a used Cd72 just for kicks.