The best CD Player for the money

Sony SCD777ES.

The Marantz SA-1 player. It beats my (2 yr old) $10K Wadia digital front end. Plus it plays an incredible SACD. This machine is gorgeous both in cosmetics and sound. It's CD and SACD playback you can enjoy not just today, but many years to come. I listened to the two piece $28K Accuphase setup and for a quarter of the price this Marantz will compete with it. In todays market in what you are getting , the Marantz SA-1 is a bargain.

Bouncy, rhythmic, 'keep on the beat' - Linn Ikemi or Naim CD5. Smooth, subtle, laid back - Electrocompaniet EMC-1, Cary or Copland. Powerful - Sony SCD-1, SCD-777. Neutral, transparent - Wadia 860, Marantz SA-1, Marantz CD-7. Cheap and cheerful - Rega Planet, Arcam FMJ, Musical Fidelity A3 (someone on this thread said they have a $20,000 reproduction chain feeding off an Ah Tjoeb; the CD player is good for the price but I imagine most people will not want to do this, for the same reason that they would not put retread Sears tires on their Porsche 911 Turbo). For tycoons and nutcases - Linn CD12 (best $20,000 CD player, but will it outperform a Harley Fatboy?).

FOR THE MONEY-PD 65

It's intersting to still see the Pioneer PD-65 mentioned in this list. I still use one that recently returned for the second time to my rack and surprisingly still pleases me with its great musical approach to digital. Grab one if you can. To me, one of the best ever built digital gear.