Time For a CD Player Upgrade

AXPERT AGAIN !!!!

I missed "giatsalami's" posting.

I have to admit that I agree 1000% with this gentleman.  AYON is unquestionably the "BUGATTI of Audio". I didn't mention it for two reasons; - - -COST and not knowing how you might feel about "tube-based audio equipment"

I have owned, borrowed, and auditioned so many pieces of audio gear over the past 70 years that I have almost lost track mentally. But without a doubt, AYON stands out in the component genre with almost no peer at any price. And there are currently several marvelous designs out there that come closer and closer to "reality".. A complete top of the line AYON system paired with the right loudspeakers,. and you could float away to heaven.

@mellowshifi 

I have a pristine Ayon CD5s available. 

OP

I've never heard a Rega Saturn CD player, but my assumption is it does a great job at playing CDs. Get a high quality DAC, and run the Rega into the DAC.....there are dozens of threads here on good DACs at multiple price points. Denafrips Pontus II 12th or 15th, Denafrips Terminator II, Holo Audio May DAC, Weiss DAC, Musical Fidelity

Soix also made a good recommendation: get a Denafrips Pontus II (12th or 15th), and a Denafrips DDC like the Iris or Hermes.........and you've got a great starting point for $2,400 new as well (this is what I am still using)

Save your money and get an Onkyo C-7030.  

One CDP not commonly referred to on this forum, but one that is a very attractive sounding device. Is the EAR Acute, it also enables other Digital Sources to be coupled to it.

In comparisons the CDT > DAC, this one is not able to be differentiated for being in any ways a under performer.