Help with CD Player

Hi jazzpiano - my brother actually has a CEC CD player and likes it, though he prefers a brighter sound than I do - for me, the CEC stuff is too bright. I prefer the warmer sound of the Rega. Many digital recordings are more than bright enough (especially in the early days of digital recording) without your player adding to it IMO. I have not heard any tubed CD players yet, though I would be very interested to sometime. The PrimaLuna one gets very good reviews, both formal and in the forums.

I totally agree with the above posters on the Raysonic cd-128. I have had most of the mentioned players from above.
It plays well above its asking price.

If you see one on here........GRAB IT!

The Musical Fidelity I mentioned earlier is a tube output CD player. Very smooth presentation but not lacking in detail either. If you like a transparent rendering of what's on the disc, I can highly recommend. I also have the Cayin CD-17T which is a tube output player and also very good for the price which would be close to your target amount. Not quite as neutral as the MF or CEC - if you like a drop of added warmth, the Cayin is your style.

The sony scd-xa5400es is a steal at 1k. Huge soundstage
detail galore without the digital haze present in most
players today. You get a "you are there" musical impression
very vivid and captivating. I am looking forward to reading
the review in this month's stereophile.