looking for a new cd player........

I have an older NAD C542 and it sounds exactly as you describe what you want. Also a CA 840C and it too sounds wonderful but does not have that kick of the C542. As a matter of fact, nothing I have owned sounds as good as the NAD C542.

Now I have heard really good things about the Yamaha CD-700 and it's bang for the buck performance. Check out some of the offerings at A4Less. Great prices.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/cdplayer/home-audio/audio-components/cd-sacd-players/1.html

Bill

IMHO, the Rotel RCD-1072 is one of the finest CD players for the money ever made.

You can find them used for around $400 or so.

I doubt if you will find anything much better than 565be under 4 K .

We picked up a pro-ject cd s box for under 500 from our audio dealer. Very impressed with this little machine, especially for that price. Did pair it with Cardas Parsec interconnect. Also picked up a demo set of Avalon Idea speakers in a beautiful Chocolate Wenge finish. Retirement system is complete!