Best sounding CD Player for $3K or less used?

Some great suggestions here, stating my own preference for a musical "Analogue" sound, there are 2 I would recommend. One I own and the other I have heard often
Resolution Audio Opus 21
ARC CD3 Mk 2
I went to a show where the Opus was comparted with a more expensive Esoteric, an X03 I think. The Esoteric clearly was more detailed, perhaps dynamic, but everyone in the room preferred the Opus. Mine has GNSC mods, which make it one of the best Red book only -players I have heard. I think only the ARC ref 7, betters it by any margin. I second getting advice from Steve at GNSC

This thread seems to have morphed from "Best sounding CD Player for $3K or less used" to "best analogue sounding CD player...." Regardless, I am surprised not to see the Lector CDP 7T mentioned yet, which typically goes for below $3K used. Both the MkII and MkIII versions IMO are outstandingly musical for the price, and can be considered "analogue sounding" if that label can be translated to; smooth, rich, dynamic, and 3-dimensional, with very good midrange textures and excellent full bass (especially for a tubed output stage); all without being mechanical or digital sounding. I own the MkIII and enjoy it so much that I not only use one in my main music system, but also purchased a second one that greatly improves music playback through my HT system, compared to playing CD's through the Sony DVD player I have in that system. To my ears, the Lector bettered the Stibbert (in my system) by having a fuller, more realistic and more musical presentation. The CX7e I discussed earlier in this post is a different animal, that does nothing wrong, but leans more toward a tidy, precise sound that just doesn't get me as excited about listening.

Mark Levinson no 39 (as dac and analogue preamp) and a TEAC VRDS cd player (as transport). Very good combination.

Go ahead and spring for a NEW Marantz SA-11s2. Not sure you can find any used players costing less that will better this unit. If I were going to buy a used unit under $2,000 I'd give strong consideration to the Ayre CX-7e and at under $1,000 the Arcam FMJ 23 or 33 would merit consideration.

Loius made his purchase 4 days after posting, in April. Just sayin'.