Best cd player for under $800.00

personally, I think the Arcam CD73 and Rega Planet (recently discontinued) are the best entry level players. The Planet has a very smooth and engaging sound, not as detailed as the Arcam though.

music hall blows nad rotel away

I bought a Sony 900 for about $300 and sent it to TRL for mods, another $550. Blows away anything I have ever heard, at any price!

Do a search for TRL (Tube Research Labs) there's a lot of info on them.

Second on the music Hall all the rest especially rotel sound like mud compared to the Music Hall. I don't know about the modders but forget any warranty. The Music Hall is super clean but not thin has a lot of presence and is simply a giant killer. Look up Trelja's thread on it. He is one of the most knowledgable Audiogoners there is.

TRL 595
APL 563
Eastern Electric(tubed)redbook/HDCD