Best Used CD Player Under $500?

two suggestions: Faroudja DV-1000 ($6000 10 years ago) $500ish now. Sounds identical to the ML39. The Sony DVD ES-9000 DVD player sounds almost as good as the SCD-1 for around $300 (with the SCD-1 still going for $1800)

I resorted to going with my Sony 3000 dvd over all others I tried. Just seemed lively and true to my ears

If you are interested in buying used, you will probably need to take what you can find. Here are some choices:

Cambridge Audio 640C (version 2) or 740C (both highly resolving, good bass for this price point)

NAD C542 (smooth, pleasant sounding)

Music Hall CD25.2 (well rounded)

Yes to the older Rega's

Yes to the Jolida if you like that warmer sound.

Yes to older Sony ES series

I don't think the redbook CD performance of the Oppo is up to these others, but its HD formats are very good.

Another option is to use whatever CD spinner you have on hand - even an old Toshiba DVD player from the Goodwill - and hook it up to a new Cambridge Audio DacMagic, which is essentially the DAC and upsampling electronics from their $1000 740C CD player, except without the transport and big transformer.

Thanks all. I found some money and can now spend up to $750. Other suggestions? Also, a friend wants to get into the act and has $1500 to throw at a player. The rest of the system is Krell 300si integrated and PSB Synchrony One's. Thoughts? Thanks!

For $750 - try to find a used Cambridge 840C, Rega Apollo or Marantz SA8001, or discounted NAD C565BEE. There is an NAD M5 listed on Agon right now for $749.

For $1500 (assuming this is a separate deal and not 750 + 1500 = 2250) - try used Rega Saturn, Raysonic CD168, Marantz SA-11S1, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista or A5, Naim CDx, or new Cambridge Audio 840C or Naim CD5i.