Best redbook CD player

I'm enjoying my Electrocompaniet ECM1UP very much.Lots of bass and mid punch.There's one on Audiogon for under 2k.You won't regret it.

Chashmal, I find some of your lingo a bit confusing. First, you start this thread entitled 'Best redbook CD Player', then it turns out that you are not looking for the best redbook cd player, but the best under $2500.

Now I've already stated that 'best' is a relative term that means so many different things to so many different people that in reality it means nothing. Looking at this thread already this is the 19th post and we already have 10 different suggestions as to the 'best' under $2500 and even one suggestion for the 'best' well over $2500.

Next, you want to know if the RA Opus will 'blow away' your Meridian. Quite frankly, this is audio salesman jargon. In audio, as in many hobbies, one spends quite a bit of $$$ to gain that last 5-10% in performance. If one CDP 'blows away' or 'kills' another CDP, then you have one properly operating CDP being tested alongside one CDP in need of repair (laser issue, cold solder joint, etc.).
While I would prefer the sound of the RA Opus over the Meridian, I'm sure others may prefer the Meridian.....most 'normal' people will hear no difference at all.

Then you come in with the comment that vinyl is 75-90% of your source material. Now knowing this, I would recommend you just keep the Meridian and spend your $2500 to upgrade your analog rig, table, arm, cartridge, phono preamp, etc.
I know Linn is always coming out with mods for their LP-12. Many, such as Origin Live will mod your Rega RB-300 arm, or maybe you want a RB-1000 or even a Linn tonearm. If you like your Lyra Dorian, try a Helikon....etc, etc.
It would seem to me that you would gain more by upgrading your primary source than by spending all of that $$$ on a source you use only 10-25% of the time.

Just my $0.02, take it for what it's worth.

Cheers,
John

You know John, I completely agree. If it were not for the fact that I am setting up a second system I would probably get a new phono stage or tonearm.

I still want a CDP for my main rig, and my 2d system will be CD only (because it is for my work space). Thus I am using the Meridian for the 2d system and am thinking of having fun getting a digital upgrade, thus the dilemma.

My budget should have been stated in the heading, again I conceed.

They don't come up often but the Tube Technology Fusion CD64 is an amazing player, I own and love one. It marries the amazing WTA dac from the Chord DAC64 to a discrete tubed analog output stage. I read a rave in HiFi+, took the plunge and couldn't be happier. An alternative might be to pick up a used Chord DAC64 and just use your current Meridian as transport. As you can tell I'm a big believer in this DAC technology, and multiple reveiws have been favorable. Happy listening!
JD