Which cd player: New /w Mod or just plain new?

Lkdog- A friend, with an extensive collection, is currently bringing me up to speed on jazz, with a strong emphasis on the legends. My knowledge is limited but I have become an avid fan.

Goose- Much thanks. Could you indulge me further by listing some of the players, you auditioned, when you chose your 999ES. Did you listen to the Musical Fidelity A5 as it's nearly the same price?

Phaelon,

I didn't have an opportunity to listen to the Musical Fidelity A5. I did listen to the Denon 2900 Exemplar modded player and the Esoteric player. I had to trust the reviews on the 999ES and paid particular attention to the type of sound (warmer or cooler) Without a direct A/B comparison in my system it's really not fair to comment on which is "better". I do know that with the Utopia's I would stay away from the "analytical" or cooler voiced players. The Modwright is more open and extended on the higher frequencies but has reduced upper frequency etch and the vocals have less sibllance than my older player. Kind of a contradiction but somehow it works (maybe the tube ouput stage). If you can get some players to bring home and try in your system, that would be the best option. The one player that I didn't try and would have liked to is the new Cary 303-300 tube player. I just happen to have a fondness for the Cary sound.