The best CD Player for the money

Pioneer DV-444: Slim and good-looking in silver finish with blue readout. Plays everything, including MP-3s, has progressive scan, and can be had for $220 on eBay. And it sounds really good right out of the box and gets better with a minimum 100 hour break-in. Surely, for the money, this can't be beaten?

Recently heard the Music Hall CD player. Most impressive at $595.00,damn little can touch it in any respect. For a few bucks more can get the Rega,but why? The Music Hall is that good.

Just picked up the Music Hall MMF CD-25, it is a steal
for $500.
The hottest cd player not yet known!

I WOULD CONSIDER MERIDIAN 508.24 AS EXTREMELY MUSICAL,HOWEVER FIND THETA DAVID MORE SWEET AND EXTENDED,IT PLAYS 24/96 .NEW $4500 USED $2000 .IF YOU WANT DVD PLYER ALSO YOU CANNOT BEAT THE TONAL DIMENSION AND SOUNDSTAGE.IF YOU WANT ADD DIGITAL TRIPHAZERS TO YOUR PRE/PRO PATHS AND YOUR AMP ,IT WILL BEAT ANY SYSTEM ,triphazers!!!!

A used Meridian 508.24 is as close to a "sure-thing" recommendation as there is for cd players, in my opinion, especially when factoring in cost effectiveness. Meridian's 506.24 (new or used) might also be considered, along with Theta Digital's Miles. Are balanced outputs a consideration for you?