Best redbook player for under $1000

I second Aball in the recommendation for the Jolida. I am biased since I own the player, but before I bought a stock Marantz multiple format player, I would definitely consider purchasing a redbook-only player. Your first priority is redbook playback, no? Unless you plan on modding a multi-format player, you will likely not get the best redbook playback out of it at the pricepoint you're considering. The Jolida is musical, smooth and detailed. You can eaisly get one used at a nice price well under $1k.

Foster9,

I agree the Jolida is smooth, musical, and addicting to the point that it is hard to turn off, but detailed it is not. Maybe mods change that, but my Rotel 1070 had a lot more detail at a lower price.

The level of detail one achieves with the Jolida is dependent on the system and the tubes one has substituted for the stock tubes it comes with. My choice, after trying all the currently made 12AX7s, is Ei.

I use the player in an all Jolida system (302B integrated, phono pre and tuner) with Meadowlark Kestrel 2s and the player is almost as detailed as the phono (stock Music Hall MM7) which to my ear is quite good.

forgot to mention muse cd/dvd player.....

From personal experience I would stay far away from the Marantz (very over-rated mass market junk...don't believe the Stereophile reviews). I have the Jolida JD 100 which is a solid value for approx. $600 used... you can use the left-over money for some RCA NOS tubes and a Flavor 4 power cord or some better interconnects. If you want to spend a little more, the Arcam CD23T or CD33 are solid choices.

Another option is to use your Kenwood CDP as a transport and get a Bel Canto Dac1 and digital cable.