The best CD Player for the money

There are many excellent players on the market today. The "classic" players are the current ones. If you were to try an original phonograph it would sound crappy also. CD players have come a long way since the 80's.

I agree, there are many great players and I doubt you can definitively proclaim a clear winner. That won't stop me from nominating my player though!

For a little over $1K, I think the Simaudio CD.5 is excellent, and I've chosen this over a few others (Rega Apollo, Apollo 35th, Exposure 2010s2, a few universal players). Clear and detailed, with plenty of PRaT, but also smooth and grain free. It's hard to find fault with the presentation, but of course you need to find the right match when it comes to amps and speakers. Even the best player on the market will not sound like it if the match is poor.

I was scanning all the responses and I did not see an Oppo 95
Although it is not strictly speaking a cd player but a universal
Player and does everything just right. I have owned one for 1 month
Only and I'm warming up dearly to the sound and picture

I've heard an oppo once at an audio show. I had high expectations and was very disappointed. I was not familiar with any of the gear in the rig though, so a good chance it was not the Oppo's fault. The gear looked a lot better than it sounded (horns of some sort I think but can't recall exactly). Very flat and lifeless I thought which was not what I was expecting prior to hearing.

I think this may be the best budget cd for the money.

http://www.slipperybrick.com/2007/09/cd-player-shoe/