Warm and pleasing CDP - can be biased, colored

muse 2 dac & transport...
philips 963sa
philips 1000
marantz sa8260
marantz 12s

The older Sony's like the xa7es are very nice sounding but still retain transparency and resolution. They are actually pretty remarkable that they get such nice fleshed out sound without losing other audiophile qualities.
If you really want something warm and don't care that much about the rest, find you an old Rega Planet CD player.
There others but these two are my favorites, the Sony because it's damn good and the Rega because it is ultra warm.
As for the Meridian's, the 508-20 is warmer than the 508-24 for less money.

Inexpensive, reliable and warm sounding - Rega Planet

It also has good timing and good dynamics as well. And most importantly manages to make every CD sound engaging and non-fatiguing. The original Planet can be had for $300-400. Mine still works after 8 years without any problems.

Rene

I had to check Talon4"s system to understand how he could say a $1,400 used cd player is inexpensive. It's all relative I guess.
For a truly inexpensive cdp, I suggest the NAD C-541i ($225 used). Very smooth sound with the bonus of HDCD. I've owned cdps in the price range of Talon4's suggestion but keep going back to the NAD. It's hard to beat for the money.

Look for a used Sony XA7ES. Selling for under $1000 now but $3000 when new. Warm, yet detailed and focused. They are also built like a tank. Check it out.