any thoughts?

I owned the Cal for many years - nice unit but nothing special. I now have the Audio Lab 6000 - it is a better unit. BTW if the Delta fails you can't get a replacement laser for it.

sns

I can't see purchasing older and/or well used cd transport. Even if one believed it may provide higher quality sound than today's transports I wouldn't do it.

Transports are the most unreliable component in audio. Ancient is not good, unlikely replaceable.

You might consider a streamer instead. CD players are slowly going extinct. Streaming is the future. My streamer sound better than my CD player, and the same as my analog end. For the price of one CD per month you get access to nearly infinite music. Qobuz streaming the highest quality. 
 

I would not do it.

I don’t think it is prudent to pay 400 for a 28 year old player. Others have provided sufficient reasons for this assessment about a player of this vintage.

Moving right along, $700 is a good workable number. Others on this esteemed forum have spoken about Tascam. I had not heard of it, but on a little investigation I reckon they seem pretty good value and quality. Features galore - like, recording, and other bells and whistles.

OK, about the third edit - confusing, going in circles - the prior and out of production model, 900, did not have balanced connections, The one I link to in the next sentence does have balanced. If that kinda thing rocks ya boat.

This one is about USD 600, a relatively new model I think.

Official international site.

Whatever, just sayin’. I know nothing, and even less about Audio Lab.