inexpensive cd player as gift

Flye,

I just checked your website and it looks like you have listened to and/or been inside most of these units! The Oppo is best?

Please add one to my possible list:

NAD C521BEE

Sorry for the multiple posts but I meant to write Denon 1920 NOT 2910 (too much $)

Along with the NAD you mentioned you should add the C-541i or C-542. Very nice players with HDCD. If your brother is a vinyl guy he may appreciate HDCD. I owned the 541i and the Onix CD-88 and preferred the NAD.

The build quality on the Marantz I know is excellent. They have consistently been on a short-list for lower budget cd players and I know that some of the technology from the higher end models filter down to the lower ones. I don't know about state-of-the-art as I prefer a simple two-channel system. Check out the reviews and also check out Accessoriesforless.com who is an authorized Marantz online seller.