The best CD Player for the money

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

You didn't specify a price range, but I'm guessing by the nature of the question you're in the Class B price range. I recently did a little downsizing and sold my Wadia 850 and purchased the Arcam FMJ CD23. After spending a day A/B testing using my buddy's system as reference (mine's being rebuilt) I can honestly say the reviews are deserved for this model. High build quality, very listenable and no bad characteristics. A solid Class B performer, and far better than the Adcom GCD 750 I also owned in the recent past. The Ring DAC only disappointed by comparison after we used the Arcam as a transport and a Timber TT1 DAC. The Timber revealed a more open, natural, nuanced sound, with better soundstaging. Of course, that's an unfair comparison, but the point is the Arcam is a quality piece and good value for the money.

I have to agree with Vegasears - CAL stuff. I have the Delta/Sigma II. It's not the last word in detail, but it does not make my ears bleed the way some other CD players do. Alternately (much better !) get a good turntable

Sonic Frontiers SFCD1 is my current player, but the upgrade path is limited and expensive. They are rumoured (good source to be downsizing their building so I don't know if SF will make available an SACD player. It looks like DVD-A will not make it. Therefore, my next CD player of choice came down to the Sony DVP9000Es and, judging by the reviews here, I will be making the correct choice!