Is there a truly musical multiple CD player?

You're NOT alone when you speak of, "real music"!! There are those of us that still listen to it often enough to know what it sounds like, and seek to recreate the illusion at home. If that sounds, "snobby" to those that don't: So what? Facts are facts.

Musclebt,

I'd suggest to mention to your friend that California Labs is no longer in business and that this is quite an old player. Just thinking about "repairs" and the age of the mechanical tray system and that a used one may have been abused/jammed on occasion. A DAC with a tube output could be coupled to a music server or larger changer and might be more along the lines of the realistic sound you are looking for. Opinions are just opinions though and the CL-10 will give good SS sound for sure.

The CL-10 is a v. good player and while parts are difficult to come by, not impossible. I recently fired mine up and while it was not in the same league as my APL 3910, it was not embarrassed. Given the HT Rcvr, I think its about the best he's going to do. I talked to my tech last week and he agrees its the best sounding changer he's ever heard.

Run any Sony ES multi player through the digital out to any good dac. They used to call it a Jukebox, now it's a music server.
Your iPod through a Wadia iTransport to a good Dac and you have a music server.
Your computer to a --------etc.

I second the Anthem CD-1; I found mine very musical and satisfying.