i want a dull, caramel colored cd player any ideas

Get all PS Audio Prelude power cords and put 4 vibrapods under every component. These should dull the sound like nothing else. Get all Audioquest copper cables, their mid line, like Jaguar. Get Zu Cable Libtec speaker cables. Get RGPC power conditioners for your cd player and the pre-amp. All this combined should get you the results you're asking for. Bat player is a good machine, but last time I heard it, I do not recall that it sounded dull.

did anyone mention dipping the current cdp into a tub of maple syrup?

i have settled on a cd player.

it may not be dull, but according to recommendations, may be one the warmer players out there and gives me the opportunity to change spectral balance by finding a suitable 6922.

the player is the BAT VK D5.

I mentioned the problem may be elsewhere in your system, so let me elaborate on that, especially since you think the BAT may not be the final solution.

I would first recommend that you replace your receptacle with an unplated unit like the Porter Port and eliminate any silver that may be in your system, be it power cords, spkr. cables or interconnects.

I'm not after the same sonic presentation that you are but I can't stand any harshness or brightness and have tried many combinations. As a result of my experimentations, I would think something like the HT Truthlink would work well for you in the IC dept. If you use balanced connections, simple pro audio cables will do the trick. These rec's are the first two I thought of.

PC's can play a big factor too, so those are worth examining. If you've upgraded your PC's, you might want to revert back to stock, although some aftermarket PC's can alter the presentation to the point of dulling the sound.

BTW, it took me about three yrs and ~75 cable changes to get where I am today. In the last 4 yrs, I've basically stayed with the same IC & spkr. cable manufacturer while continuing to mildly experiment w/DIY and aftermarket PC's.

Finally, the biggest contributor to your sound is probably the room itself. Definitely worth looking into, although sometimes, there are no options available to work with, eg the WAF.