Crazy to buy a 17 year old CD Player?

Thanks again to all who chimed in.  I decided to purchase a used Ayre C-5xeMP Universal Disc Player.  Will also explore finding a new laser to get the ARC CD2 up and going again.  It would do nicely in the bedroom, or perhaps recoup some of my expense on the Ayre.

  After reading the replies I had to give you my experience. I was going through the same struggle trying to figure which way to go. I was still using my Cal-Labs Delta Transport to an upgraded Wadia 12 DAC (which is an R2R dac). Both very old (mid 90's), so I went on a quest to find better. Every one was saying how much better new DAC's were. All the reading I did pointed me to the Oppo 105 without spending a ton of money. I bought the 105 and was very disappointed. I had read they need to break in so I left it on repeat 24/7 and before the end of the return period I did more A/B testing. It did sound a bit better after breaking in but my wife and I both still much preferred the Cal Transport/Wadia. So then I used the 105 just as a transport with the spdif digital coaxial out to my Wadia. My Cal-Labs Delta transport that I bought new in the '90's sounded much better. How could this be I thought? Both as a transport and DAC I liked my old equipment better. Now, before someone says I'm crazy, consider the fact that the old transports used better mechanical clamping mechanisms where now everything uses a cheap computer drive. Why? Because there is not enough demand for high end CD playback like there used to be. Audio manufactures need to chose from what parts are available on the market. Just like DAC chips, the cost involved in good R2R dac's was too high so the 'Technology' was to make them smaller and cheaper...not better sounding. Now saying that, what you read so much about new players being so much better is very relative. The real issue that is not being said is the preference of format. The Oppo 105 sounds great if you are playing an SACD, but all my music was on CD. So when reading reviews consider the context of how it is being used.
I was very glad I had tried the 105 however because I found that the best sound was actually playing back the digital files (Ripped from CD with EAC) from my NAS going from the 105 to my Wadia. I had tried computer audio before and it was too harsh. The Oppo 105 makes a great digital transport. I ended up buying an NAD M50 to rip and play back the digital files and a Schiit Yggdrasil to play Hi-Res 24bit files as it is an R2R dac and still sounds good on 16bit 44.1 files.

  I suggest one major piece of advise...You need to hear it in your system! 
Go to a high-end audio store that will let you have a home demo. If it's a long drive, watch their site for used gear that comes in so you can compare more than one item.

Oh, Missed your post as I was typing. Let us know how you like your  Ayre C-5xeMP

jds, I don't consider the Oppo 105 to be an example of very good digital sound these days.  It's OK for what it is, a $1,500 universal player, but there are much better cd players available.

I have 3 vintage transports.   I bought these based on what transport mechanism was used back when they were made.  Being that in some quarters it is said  that the last best mechanism made by Philips was the CDM9 (standard or pro)   And essentially the best of earlier production is the CDM 1 mk ii.       I have a Musatex CD-D /C-lok that has been gone through by S. Sank who is adamant re/the high quality of this transport .  The Musatex uses the Philips CDM1 mkii.      The other 2 ---  PSAudio Lambda which uses the Philips CDM9 pro and a Rotel  RDD980 which uses the CDM9.    Of course I can use any DAC I want  and suggest you look for a pristine transport.    Ive seen sellers ask as much as $1k for the Lambda..  I got mine for $400 here on Agon.   My Musatex also was bought here for less than $400--- incredible scores.   My Rotel I also got on here for $150 and picked it up locally.    All that being said.. I was told by Theta one time some years back that lasers age just sitting on the shelf.     So far I've never experienced a laser failure and most all of my transports have been vintage.   My current ones are from the 90's.  This site will tell just what mechanism is used on most all transports and players as well.  http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/