CDP Recommendations under $700

Creek ,Arcam

Marantz cd5003

My used Rega Apollo.

Gene

if you can't audition cd players, try to use some parts criteria, e.g., tube vs solid state, brand of capacitors, dac chip, etc. and ease of resale.

if you can create criteria, use them to select a cd player. you will not need to rely on opinions.

once you generate a list of candidates, just pick one at random.

I have demoed the Apollo and the Arcam CD73 in my system. Both are outstanding for the price point, but I preferred the Apollo. IMO the Arcam was more detailed, but the Apollo has a nice smooth, natural sound to it (more "analogue" sounding I guess). A used Apollo is well within your price range, and the Arcam can be had for much less than the Apollo. I also owned a Cambridge 840C for quite some time and it was better by quite a fair margin than the Apollo and Arcam, IMHO. If you can stretch your budget a little, I have seen used 840C's go for $900-$950 (although you have to act fast at that price). Save your cash a little longer for an 840C. You won't be sorry. Having said all that, auditioning them in your system is the key, as YMMV depending on how they mate up with your components.