Bryston BCD-1 compared to more expensive players?

Don, could you be more specific as I was going to buy the Bryston, to replace my Shanling, but am now interested in the Sony. Thanks.

The Sony SCD-XA5400ES is more natural, and has more depth, space, and smooth sound compared to the Bryston BCD-1.

The Bryston BCD-1 is sharp and dry sounding, with less depth!

You should try to audition them at home,with your gear,room,
music ect.
I auditioned three players,an Arcam(top player then),
Bryston BCD-1 and an ARC CD-7.
For over a year I had saved for the cd-7 and then I had enough to buy it.
I figured I'll at least AUDITION a few players.
to make this short,I ended with the Bryston and no regrets.
To top it all off they were all plugged into a ARC ref-3.
Anyway I preferred the Bryston,but that's the best way is to
audition for YOU,as you will be the one listening for years to come,good luck.

Don't know about more expensive players, but in a recent showdown with the Bryston and Sony the Denon DCD A100 ($1500 street price) was the preferred choice. It matched the others in bass and scale but had a more neutral perspective. It didn't have the dryness of the Bryston (as described by Don_c55) and was less upfront than the Sony.