The best CD Player for the money

intersting Shubertmaniac, my top would be very similar:(FOR THE MONEY)
Tjoeb 4000
RA CD50 (I should have never sold it)
RA CD55
My current set up with an AN dac1.1 has been very impressive so far and has yet to break in. I might start part swapping pretty soon once I get a feel for its sound.Very undigital.

Find a used (If you can) Cary 300, superb sound quality.
The absolute best soundstage I have ever heard. My wife
said for the first time it actually sounded like Diana Krall
was standing right in front of us giving a live performance
and she is right.
I also have the Arcam FMJ CD 23 (also very nice) but it
just does not sound as real as the Cary. Find a Cary 300
or 301 for around $1400 you will not be dissapointed.
Great bass and sooooooo smooth.

I heard a MYRYAD MC100.for 1295 new its pretty special.its a class b in Stereophile.Deservedly so.

Naim CD 3.5/5 with flat cap - will run you ~$3k new - or about $1800ish used. VERY musical, though I'd probably agree it does not soundstage as well as other gear (wadia comes to mind) - but in terms of overall musical enjoyment (i.e., listening versus analyzing) the Naim player beats the others, handS down. The naim players do everything very well, across the board - and provide exceptional rhytm and pace, esp in the bass.

And if you ar consiering running Wadia staright w/o an EXCELLENT (pref tube) pre, foget it -it gets a bit harsh/strident in the mid treble, though it images and soundstages like a demon. I myself had a headache within 45 min of waida direct.

Of course Naim also has CDX, CD2 which do provide "audiophile" soundstage/imaging, but never at the expense of sounding gimmicky- you are still keenly aware of the fact that you are listening to/enjoying music, not stereo equipment, dig? one last point, its not that the 3.5/5 dont image/soundstage well - cause they do - it's just they dont as well as some other players (wadia, bat)

Hello everyone. I recently obtained a Sony XA7ES, in impeccable state, for $1000. It is most pleasing to my ears. I respectfully recommend its audition. Good luck in the journey. -Sam