The best CD Player for the money

I agree with several of these folks. I have had both a Consonance cd120 and now a Marantz 17 modified by David Schulte and it competes with the very best. Don't spend a lot on the player and instead send your money to David.

Marantz SA-1 & for vintage lovers Denon DCD-3520.

APL 3910 .

I can easily see how the Consonance beats out most all you mention EXCEPT the Cayin model 17. It may /may not beat out the Cayin 15.
But as you say the Cayin 17 retails for $1800/USA, $1K HK. I think the Consonance is less. Now is it tube? If its not tube, it will not surpass the 15, and especailly not the 17.
ss units are not in the same leauge as tube players. Thats a fact.

>>ss units are not in the same leauge as tube players. Thats a fact.<<

Really? Esoteric, EMM, and Wadia will handily spank any Cayin and/or Consonance players. Tubes don't guarantee high performance. That is a fact.