Can anyone recommend a smooth, rich CD player?

Your system synergy seems to lean toward surgical precision rather than a comfy massage.

I notice there is not a tube in sight in your gear. I am running the Meridian 508.24 through a Reference Line passive preamp to Atma-Sphere M60 MkII.3's. Speakers are Silverline Sonatas. It is all I want as far as detail, bass and transient speed plus warm without being bloated. Some recordings still suck due to the high resolution but most are listenable.

If you are happy with the Bel Canto maybe trying an external DAC (think tube DAC) would be a less expensive way to see if you are on the right about warming things up with a CDP change or it may just resolve the issue.

I recently listened to the TRL modified Sony DVP-NS900V in a system with VMPS speakers and the sound was fabulous, a great match. Also, this player was used in the VMPS room at CES as their primary source. Brian Cheney purchased a unit of his own and had it modified, that should say something. It will be a bit tough to locate a used unit (they are no longer manufactured) but will be worth it if you can. Call Brian Cheney at VMPS and ask him what he thinks of the player.

If you want warm, then the Prima will be a good match. I have a modified Electrocompaniet, which I love, but the Prima is definitely warm and rich.

The AA Prima is warm & lush. By comparison, the Rega, the Arcam, the Cary & the Meridian sound more chiseled, not warm AT ALL in my opinion. Am I saying that the others sound bad? Nope. But if he wants warmth, the Prima has it in spades over the others. Could have something to do with them tubes, eh? :-)))

My choices would be Meridian 508.24 or Audio Research CD2. Both will be what you're looking for but ARC will have better bass. Neither is bright or hyper-detailed. Both are very smooth. Ways better than your CD33 and will not sound bright on less than perfect recordings. My personal preference would be towards the ARC. But in any case these 2 players are the real deal.