Thanks Veridian.
you know, you are right. It is true that many of us lose sight of what really counts. I spend hours each day listening to music, it's just so peaceful. But there comes a time when we must all rise up against bad sound and take up arms! For we must save ourselves and usher forth an age of audio filled bliss!
haha
just joking, keep the cd player suggestions coming, I'm leaning towards an old rega planet, but it just looks so damn ugly (my opinion of course).
I'm still not convince I'm ready to take up a tube amp. I read a post about tubes blowing, etc... It would seem to add a greater cost in the long term.