Suggestions for CD player $2-3k used?

Hello Mitch- The CCa's I referred to are 10K hr tubes. They should out live the love affair I have with the VK-D5 and it's musicality. By the way- If you should pursue these excellent(and highly accurate)tubes: be certain to find the 60's(dark grey getter support), and not the 70's versions. The later tubes were terrible on top(pumped razor blades). I really don't want to be restricted to one tube selection either(as the SE/6H30 version is). The D5SE also provides less voltage at the outputs than the D5(about half). A serious consideration for me, as my Tact 2.2X doesn't provide much gain at it's outputs. For some of the CDs I own(recorded at lower levels)that can be a drawback to my listening pleasure(I like realistic DB levels). A used VK-D5 at about $1500.00 and six NOS CCa's at about $700.00 would fit your stated price goal nicely. You might have a harder time finding someone that wants to sell their BAT, than to find the tubes. Oh- with regards to bass response: My system is flat to 20hz through the VK-D5 player(Stereophile Test CD #2 for test signal). I forgot to mention that earlier. Bluebook CD repsonses are truncated at 20 and 20kHz of course. With the TacT's pink noise generator, I measure 3db down at 14hz. Like I said: the VK-D5 delivers the music. If you get one, and something's missing: It's either not on the CD, or the system/cables/interconnects are holding it back. The VK-D5 and Kimber Select 1130s are a match made in heaven, BTW.

If you care to research the CCa further:(https://www.tubeworld.com/6922.htm) has some good info at the bottom of the page. Further info on VK-D5 per Stereophile review:(http://www.stereophile.com/digitalsourcereviews/570/) I noticed that a couple of TAS writers/reviewers had VK-D5s in their reference systems until just last year. The TAS review belabored the point of the VK-D5SE's alledged, "dark" voicing, to the consternation of a number of BAT lovers. There were some humorous 'letters to the editor' in response.

Mitch2: No, I have not compared the CD-3 to the CD-3 Mk. II. The latter costs roughly 10% more than the former, and as audio occupies the same universe as everything else and you thus tend to get what you pay for, it surely must be better. And as your Aerials are very fine speakers, I would think that you would benefit from the Mk. II.

What did you end up with, Mitch? I recently purchased a 303/300 and am enjoying it's warm, natural sound, imaging, and frequency extension. I'm only familiar with the G08 from 15 and 20 minute in-store demos, which don't really mean anything, but at least I wasn't disappionted.

To obtain the Cary, I gave up my Meridian 508.24, which I'd owned for many, many years and can say was one of the very best cd players I've ever heard (for its ability to communicate the essence of music in an organic way). The Cary is surely quieter and cleaner, and perhaps a little better at this, a little better at that, but the 508.24 could still coexist with it. Easily. I am happy with the Cary, but because of that great, multi-year experience with the 508.24, I'm still intrigued to hear the G08 over a period of days or wks in my home system.

Hi Sundaycomix, I still haven't got things set to my satisfaction yet...what else is new? I have been revolving preamps lately. I went with the Ayre CX7e player based on its solid build quality, great reviews, excellent company reputation, and fully balanced circuitry. It is a nice player, but I am currently using it single-ended into a VTL 5.5, which is a very nice tube preamp but doesn't maximize the potential of the balanced circuitry of the Ayre player or my DNA 500 amp. I am awaiting the return of an Atma-Sphere MP-3 preamp that Ralph Karsten's crew is currently upgrading for me. I am a little limited in preamp choices by the lowish 10K ohm input impedance of the McCormack amp. I have considered the Calypso and Aesthetix says it will work with the McCormack but with an output impedance of near 4k ohm at 20Hz, I am concerned of a LF rolloff with that preamp. Anyway, the Ayre certainly sounds good (maybe not quite as good as the Muse Model 10 I recently parted with) but I will be able to comment more fully after I have had some time with it in a fully balanced set up. I should have the MP-3 back in a week or so, and I am looking forward to trying that combo. - Tim