Which is the best cd player under $10k?

Like several other posters, I think you should look into Audionote DACs plus a transport. If you have any sort of building skills, even the top of the line Audionote kit with all the parts upgrade would leave you with plenty of money left for a decent transport. If you can find a used DAC-4, that would be great too. My only personal caveat is that I've only heard the Audionote gear with tube amplification. I don't know if the no-filtering approach of the Audionote gear would work with ultra high bandwidth solid state amplification.

Perhaps a used Burmester player would fit your preference too, as would the Accuphase you listed.

Not that I am in to "mine is better, than yours",

but, the Marantz SA11S-2 with the Level 2 Modifications
by Underwood Mods. I own, is really something
extra special from Japan.

Walter did NOT lie to me, when he said that this player
would hold it's own, with players from $10k.

Cary, Esoteric, both have a more "Digital" presentation.

This Marantz really plays like a "Master Tape Unit"

The warmth, with the dynamics, makes the whole experience

so much more rich.

Of course, the proper cords ALL around, make a HUGE

difference, once you get it ALL right, it is WELL,

worth the effort.

Redbook CD's play like the Best in SACD!

Thus is a REAL treat since, this is the main source,

of my music library.

What this Marantz does to some of the less than perfect
recordings, let's just say, WOW!

IMHO, YES, it sounds THAT good.

I LOVE MY MUSIC!

Thankful I am.

Melbguy1, forget Accuphase DP-500 the older DP-67 is better sounding player. Better dac`s more analogue-like sound. Quite far from 10K price but pretty much the sound you described.

There are some problems in trying to translate one's idea of "vinyl" sound into a recommendation to someone else who might have a different take on that kind of sound. So, I will say that, apart from any sort of characterization, I have heard really good sound from a Vacuum State modified Sony SCD-1. These modified machines should also be on a list of those under consideration. I wonder if the now discountinued top of the line Linn machines are still available, those sound nice too.

I have heard the AMR 77 extensively and I would say that it does not need an external dac as it is that good. That unit and only a hand full of others competes with the Bidat. I own the MSB Power DAC (latest version) but the AMR is in another league. I know RobertBrown likes the MSB stuff very much, but as one who had been able to compare the MSB and the AMR 77...it is simply no contest. The AMR is one of the BEST digital players I have ever heard.

Melbguyl, I agree with you that the unit is very heavy...I don't understand your point though. Who buys a $10K CD player (which they would know to be heavy) and then possibly places it on an inferior shelf? My former ML 31.5 was heavy...so was my Wadia 7 and especially my Sony SCD-1...Never had a problem as I purchased an adequate rack...as I believe most audiophiles would do.

I am purchasing the Playback Design MPD-5 DAC and maybe it will beat the AMR, I don't know as yet but I do know that no other DAC I can name at this point has been better. The Weiss Minerva was assassinated by the AMR LOL... that sounds funny but it is true.

The main reason I am not going for it is simply because I am into my Mac Mini as a music server controlled by my iPhone or Harmony 1000.