Best cd player for under $800.00

I don`t reccomend Arcam CD73. Once I wanted to buy one but when I demoed it in my system it sounded realy closed and dull. It is made of cheap plastic which looks and sounds like real cheap player. The Cd23 sounds better but looks same ugly. Later I bought Marantz cd17mk2 which looks like real jewel and the sound is absolutely night and day in comparison with Arcam. When I changed the CD73 to CD17 the difference was so big like remowing some fat blanket from my speakers. In my experience I don´t even remember so big change caused by changing one unit in system. Marantz is much more opened up and clear but at same time musical and polite sounding.
You can find CD17 now real cheap on agon or ebay it must be about $400 used.
If You find some new unit beware that before burn in it sound realy shrill and sharp with little bass but before it transformes to absolutely another unit.
Good luck

For $200 more, get the newest technology in cd's in the Rega Apollo. Have fun trying to find one. Totally short supply. Selling out instantly. You'll know why when you hear it.

If you can find it around your price ( I paid $ 850 for mine) a used Meridian 508.20 will blow anything else away. Check reviews and comments across the web, it's a golden find if you come across it.

EastSound CD-E5

After the break-in period, I'm crazy about my modded Music Hall. It also reads HDCD.