What's the "worst" cdp for the money?

I am curious to know what the rest of your systems are(interconnects, Powercords, speakers, Amp, Pre, etc). Keep in mind when comparing cd players - your performance will be limited to the weakest components/interconnects in your system. If a $3000 cdp sounds like the $300, then you have a weak link somewhere preventing you from gaining the benefit of a higher resolution player.

Hmmmm..... What's up with some of you guys? Many of these threads contain opiniated comparisons between different components. When a user gives an opinion on which component is better over another, one particular component always receives a negative recommendation. So, does this mean that all threads asking which component people prefer over another should be closed? I don't think so, as this would eliminate one of the main reasons many of us use these message boards. To ask opinions.

The purpose of this thread was to allow users to stress their opinions on a particular subject. It seems when someone thinks they have found a "holy grail" component, they are allowed to get on the web and tell the world how great it is, and there's nothing wrong about this. But, when someone finds a poor value component, shouldn't they also be allowed to spread the word, as well. Look at how many ads we see on A'gon stating things like "The best player under $2000". This is an attack on ALL other players under $2000. Maybe these ads should get yanked, as well.

Everyone in this hobby should know that perception of sound quality is very subjective, and also system dependent. User's opinions should be taken as a general guideline, and not a definitive answer. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

This thread asked for opinions on one subject, so please stick to the subject. If you don't like the thread, then just pass it by.

Fatparrot says >>This is a very nasty and petty thread!<<
Ouch! Somebody must have mentioned your cd player huh?

I'm not sure that what I'll be saying here is what I perceive to be the worst player for the money, but rather the least value for the price that I auditioned when I ugraded my digital components. Based on previous responses I will add a disclaimer that this is my opinion only as an amatuer critic and based on home listening tests. For those interested the pertinent system components that used to home audition the CDPs were:

Cary V12i
Cary SLP-98L
Spendor 1/2e (on Sound Anchor stands)
Chang Lightspeed 6600 (amp)
PS Audio P300 Power Plant (sources, but switched all CDPs tested back and forth between the PS Audio and Chang)
Nordost Red Dawn RCA interconnects
Wire World Silver Electra 5 PC (amp)
Electra Glide PC (preamp)
XLO Reference (speaker)
An array of PCs to test each CDP (all burned in)

CDPs tested: Jolida JD-100, SimAudio Moon Equinox, and Naim CD5x (using the Chord DIN to RCA and without flatcap).

Of these the CDP that I thought had the least value for the price was the Naim CD5x. I had heard a lot about Naim and the sound it produced from many people but just could not hear it in my set-up. Not that it sounded poor, but for the money ($3k) it sounded less musical than the Sim at $2250 and was slightly embarrassed by the Jolida which is under $1k. I don't think I would have paid more than $1500 for the Naim and that would include twisting my arm. I was very unimpressed considering the hype. However, I will add another opinion and that is I feel Naim gear belongs with other Naim gear. I don't feel Naim gear sounds as good as separates.

All this being said some of you may be curious which CDP I selected. The answer is none of them. I was also conducting a simultaneous test with separate transports and DACs and decided to go that route. Had I decided to go the CDP route the Sim most likely would have won out.

Linn Genki. Never heard it myself. Corresponded with a former reviewer at Soundstage who was to have reviewed the Linn CDP.

He said it was a real POS. Sounded like a circa 1985 player. He let the editor of Soundstage hear the player and he agreed and they scraped the review.

BW Maxx