What is the best analog sounding CD player $2000

Audio Aero Prima, but only the latest model.

I don't know what this means, but I have heard several music servers with outboard dacs that get close to sounding the equal of vinyl. The best stand alone cd players that I have heard are the Lindemann 820 B and the Exemplar/Shanling scd-3000.

One question, nine different answers so far. Go figure. Plenty of good players in that range. I'll give you another definitive vote for your considering going the Server/DAC direction, the better implementations of which sound better than any players I've heard. As far as Standalone players; as you see, there are plenty. Personal favorites that I've heard have been (and another vote for) Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP, or a used Modwright/Sony with outboard power or APL/Denon unit.

Arthur Salvatore has placed the Krell standard mrk II just about at the top of his best Cd players list on his site AUDIO CRITIQUE.

have owned The Krell SACD Standard MKI and MKII. While the MKI was an excellent player for the money it was plaqued with transport problems. I purchased my MKI in June 05 and within 18 months it went back to Krell 2 or 3 times. Krell replaced it with a brand new MKII, free of charge, and restarted the 5 yr warranty!

The main difference between the two was a new/improved servo-drive. The change in the drive made a significant improvement producing a wider deeper (to die for) soundstage, deeper and tighter bass and crisp but silky smooth treble.

I have read about complaints of load time, but mine loads in 3 to 7 seconds. I have read about noisy transports, but in complete silence, I can't hear mine unless I am closer than 2 feet away. Finally, I have read about, reliability issues. I have my MKII for two years. I play it nearly every day from a couple of hours to (a more typical) several hours daily. That's 2,000 hours without a problem!!

Get yours before the word gets out!

Surprised no one has mentioned the Rega Apollo yet - I bought it exactly for the OP's reason - more analog-like sound. Only $1100 new, too!