2 channel cd player xlr $2000-&3000 used or....

The Ayre CX-7e is fantastic...but I haven't listened critically to that many CDP's in this pricerange - just Simaudio, Naim and Ayre. IMHO, the Ayre is extremely well-balanced which makes it enjoyable to listen to with all genres of music and all qualities of production.

Based on my auditions of their gear, Ayre's calling card seems to be a wide-open airy sound with an articulate and tonally accurate bottom-end.

Try a Cambridge 840c. The Shangling I was warned against purchasing from they guy who does warranty repairs on them. Tube CD players to me dont realy help soundstage if you want tubes go tube amp.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record (er, sorry): Bryston BCD-1. XLR outs, right in your price range, superlative sound...

HEY PEOPLE I BOUGHT AN ARC CD3 MK ll !!!!! Thanks for your input. I did listen to Ayre and Cambridge, but decided to go ARC because I was planning on buying an ARC VS 115 amp, which I have just purchased, and am breaking it in as we "speak"!! Once again thanks for your input,

Sam