Hi, Czbbcl: I know your question is sincere and asked in good faith, so my response is NOT intended as an attack on your judgement. However, when I see a question like yours posted regarding very expensive CD players, I really have to ask: Why? CD technology is about to leap-frogged by DVD-A and SACD, and DVD players are now adding stiff competition to the CD-only unit. Spending up to $5K on a beautiful piece of "audio jewelry" that is becoming obsolescent strikes me as questionable. (Again, let me say that this is NOT an attack on you personally.) You can get more for your money by waiting as little as six months until units are available that play CD, DVD-A, and maybe SACD as well. I recently sold my Rega Planet CD player and replaced with it with a high-end DVD/CD player that I think outperforms the Rega by a substantial margin. I know nothing of your financial situation (nor am I am inquiring), but the whole recording technology scene is undergoing such a change right now that I suggest you wait unless you have an immediate need for a CD-only unit. Just my opinion, for what it's worth. (As a side note, I've been an audiophile for nearly 40 years, have sold high-end audio gear, etc., and I've seen a lot of people that invested a large amount of money in a changing technology who wished they had waited.)